After landing by helicopter in the Val d’Isere resort where he made his big breakthrough, Alpine skiing’s new sensation Carlo Janka could appreciate how much his life had changed in just over a year. “I do notice a lot of things around me are different,” the 23-year-old Swiss, who will take part in a super-combined, a super-G and a giant slalom here over the next three days, said.

“It was great, we flew over the course,” he added. “It’s very emotional for me to be back here.”

Janka, a virtual unknown when he won his first World Cup race, a giant slalom in this French Alps village just a year ago, was granted the helicopter treatment after leaving Beaver Creek a day late following his hat-trick success last weekend.

Because he took too long at the doping control after winning a super-combined, downhill and giant slalom in three days on the Birds of Prey course, the 23-year-old Swiss missed his plane on Sunday night and flew out only on Monday.

That means he skipped Wednesday’s free practice here and had little time to recuperate, which is why the Swiss team decided he could come by helicopter.

The awe-inspiring Bellevarde Face is definitely special for Janka, who also won giant slalom gold and downhill bronze on it at the World Championships in February.

“The piste here suits me fine because it’s technically demanding and you have to be very precise as well as aggressive,” he said. “I like that.”

A gifted all-rounder, the quiet but determined Janka had been regarded as a potential great for some time but his status has now changed dramatically with five podium finishes from six starts.

With the Vancouver Olympics just around the corner, he is feeling the pressure.

“The expectations are different, clearly higher, but I can live with it, I just need to adapt,” he said.

“Beating the best guys is nice but what I’m interested in is doing it again.”

Alpine Skiing World Cup Val D’Isere

Men’s Downhill Combined — Friday 9am LIVE on British Eurosport

Men’s Slalom Combined — Friday 2.45pm on British Eurosport

Men’s Giant Slalom 1st Run — Sunday 9.15am LIVE on British Eurosport

Men’s Giant Slalom 2nd Run — Sunday 12.15pm LIVE on British Eurosport