Switzerland’s Carlo Janka won the men’s super combined, pipping compatriot Didier Defago to first place in Beaver Creek. The 23-year-old Janka, who skied with great fluidity in bitter conditions, is generating plenty of pre-Olympic excitement on the circuit with his victory his third podium finish, in three different disciplines, in four races this season.

He finished third in downhill at Lake Louise and the giant slalom at Soelden, results which are impressive given he spent most of the off-season laid low by a mystery virus.

“The podium at Soelden was important after a long summer where I had problems with my physical training, to get a podium there was important for me,” Janka said. “I am not yet at 100 per cent but I am at enough to win races as we saw here.”

Combined specialist Janka, third in the downhill leg, trailed halfway leader Defago by .32 seconds going into the technical test but produced a storming slalom run of 47.75.

After completing his run Janka then had to watch Defago and Didier Cuche come down as the final two racers in contention.

“I know that Didier Cuche is not the greatest slalom racer but he produced a pretty good run, Didier Defago put in a good performance though and I was a bit scared,” Janka said.

Croatia’s Natko Zrncic-Dim finished third after an outstanding slalom run that confirmed the 23-year-old’s promise in the super combined after his bronze in last year’s world championships.

American Bode Miller failed to finish after crashing out in the slalom while defending overall World Cup champion Aksel Lund Svindal came sixth.

After Cuche’s win in downhill last week and Defago’s confident form, the Swiss are looking like a team that has serious medal capability for the Vancouver Games.

Defago said his team-mate’s performance was another sign of the upturn in Swiss fortunes as the men’s squad look to improve on the two bronze medals they managed at the Turin Games in 2006.

“The team is working well and that is showing in the races which is good,” said Defago. “The only trouble is we only have four places on the (Olympic) team.”

Alpine Skiing — World Cup Beaver Creek:

Men’s Downhill — Saturday 6pm LIVE on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521) & Eurosport Player

Men’s Giant Slalom 1st Run — Sunday 4.45pm LIVE on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521) & Eurosport Player

Men’s Giant Slalom 2nd Run — Sunday 10pm on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521) & Eurosport Player

http://www.beavercreek.com/

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Tags: Beaver Creek ski resort, Carlo Janka, FIS Alpine World Cup, USA