Cuche makes podium

Didier Cuche cuts a gate on his way down the Streifalm Keystone

Switzerland's Didier Cuche, has proved his skiing prowess again by finishing third in Friday's Super-G World Cup race in Kitzbühel, Austria.

The Neuchâtel racer completed the gruelling Streifalm super-G event in a time of 1’19″78, but was never in contention for top spot with Austria’s Stephan Eberharter finishing an impressive 1.87 seconds faster.

The Italian, Alessandro Fattori, took second place by crossing the finish line 0.46 seconds ahead of Cuche.

With Friday’s success, Cuche clocked up his fourth podium place of the season, building on his superb performance at the Adelboden World Cup giant slalom, where he took first place.

Unfortunately it was a different story on Friday for his teammates, who were not so successful.

Paul Accola managed to scrape through to the top 15, securing his ticket to the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. But Franco Cavegn, Ambrosi Hoffmann, Steve Locher and Bruno Kernen all finished in between 18th and 25th place.

Eberharter jubilant

It was the first time Eberharter has won in Kitzbühel, where he was racing in front of a 15,000-strong home crowd.

“I’m very very pleased because it has been a big wish to win here,” said Eberharter after the race.

Friday’s victory for the 32-year-old Austrian strengthens his position at the top of both the super-G table and the overall World Cup table. For his part, Cuche is in second place in the super-G standings and a respectable fourth in the overall table.

Eberharter is now the hot favourite to win Saturday’s blue-riband Hahnenkamm downhill on the same Streifalm course.

swissinfo with agencies