Benjamin Raich led Austria’s response to Carlos Janka’s challenge after the Swiss’s earlier wins at Val d’Isere. The dominant nation in the sport for years were clearly irritated to see Alpine rivals Switzerland produce an exciting prospect in Janka and enjoy great overall success with Didier Cuche and Didier Defago also doing fine.

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.

Carlo Janka and Lindsey Vonn recorded their second World Cup wins in North America in as many days. Swiss Janka’s outstanding season continued with victory in the men’s downhill at Beaver Creek following his triumph in Friday’s Super Combined.

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.