Cuche successfully defends downhill crown

Switzerland's Didier Cuche has clinched his second straight World Cup downhill title after the cancellation of the season's final race.

The Swiss skier just held on to the crown after finishing only five points ahead of Bode Miller of the United States.

The final men’s downhill was scheduled for Wednesday in the Italian resort of Bormio.

It was called off after organisers could not start a training run on Tuesday following overnight snow and foggy conditions on the difficult Stelvio course.
World Cup rules require at least one training session before a downhill.

Cuche’s only downhill victory this season came in the prestigious Kitzbühel race in January. But he finished second four times, including the Lauberhorn in Wengen, and third once. Miller won three downhills but struggled at the beginning of the season, which probably cost him the title.

The Bormio cancellation may have helped Miller’s bid to win the overall title as it decreased the number of points still available. Miller holds a 169-point lead over Cuche in the overall standings, with Benjamin Raich of Austria 264 points behind.

Only three races remain – a Super-G on Thursday, a giant slalom on Friday and slalom on Saturday. Each win is worth 100 points.