Walchhofer wows Kitz

Walchhofer went down the legendary Hahnenkamm piste in one minute and 46.75 seconds, snatching victory from the hands of Liechtenstein's Buechel to top a World Cup podium for the third time this season.

American Daron Rahlves, winner of last week's downhill in Wengen, rounded out the podium in his final run at the Streif finishing 0.33 seconds off pace. The world No. 3 retires at the end of the season.

"It's a great victory because I nearly crashed out in the final schuss," Walchhofer said.

"I was really frustrated after yesterday's super-G and I wanted to prove I was still there.

"It's certainly one of my greatest victories. I have now won almost all the classics after Wengen, Val d'Isere and Garmisch and there's only Val Gardena missing, as I finished second there three times."

The speed specialist won his first World Cup victory in a combined in 2001 at Kitz.

"With such a win, I will now be very relaxed going to Turin knowing I have achieved one of my goals," he said.

Wearing bib No. 30, Walchhofer watched and waited as the two Americans behind him in the World Cup standings, Rahlves and Miller, both had a go at Buechel's time of 1:46.80.

On a wildly agressive run, Miller, the defending World Cup champion who is currently fourth in the overall standings, slipped and slided his way down the Streif just 0.33 seconds off of Buechel's time.

Miller would ultimately be denied his first podium in more than a month, however, as Rahlves beat his time by a mere 0.05 seconds and Walchhofer jetted to his fifth podium and third win this season to thrill a roaring Kitzbuehel crowd. The defending champ was content with the outcome, however.

"To be near the front in such conditions, with fresh and humid snow which does not favour me is a great result," said Miller.

Rahlves considerd himself lucky to land on the Kitzbuehel podium.

"The podium, given the mistakes I made, is a miracle," Rahlves said. "I would have preferred to complete the whole course in my last time out there."

Austrian hopes on the most prestigious course in alpine skiing had nearly been dashed by the time Walchhofer was up to ski.

Olympic Champion Fritz Strobl, who set the pace in downhill training and skied right before Walchhofer wearing bib No. 29, nearly crashed out at the end of his run before ultimately recovering his balance to finish 37th more than three seconds off pace.

Hermann Maier, winner of Friday's super-G, also disappointed finishing 2.06 seconds behind his leading compatriot.

Overall World Cup leader Benjamin Raich performed well, however, earning his third downhill top-ten of the season (including downhill-combined events). The tenth place finish sets up an Austrian duel for Kitz' super-combined event, which will include the results from Saturday's downhill and Sunday's slalom.

Walchhofer won the first super-combined of the season, and Raich won the second last week at Wengen.

The two men at the top of the World Cup standings square off in the slalom on Sunday, as www.eurosport.com brings you full coverage LIVE starting with the first run at 10:30CET!