3 February 2003

The FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2003 St. Moritz-Pontresina, Engadine for two weeks from 1st to 16th February.

Event outline | Maier | Austian Womens Gold | Eberharter | Downhill | Slalom

Amazing! With an unbelievable dream-race and despite low visibility, Hermann Maier won the Super-G in Kitzbühel, Austria, with a sensational time of 1 minute 20.48 seconds. With an impressive performance, the winner of the Olympic games in Nagano has proved that even after his injury nothing can stop him from succeeding in his favourite discipline.

Maier takes the lead
"This is one of my greatest achievements," said Maier, who was joined by four teammates as Austria swept positions 1-5. Eleven-hundredths behind came Christoph Huber in second place. Stephan Eberharter was third, 0.15 behind and Andreas Schifferer was fourth (+0.64) and Hans Knauss is on fifth place (+0.71).

Neither Didier Cuche (6th in 1.21.22) who nearly fell, nor Kjetil Andre Aamodt (9th in 1.21.75), nor downhill-winner Daron Rahlves (22nd in 1.22.52) were able to prevent the red-white-red Hahnenkamm-festival.

Unhampered by injury
"I am totally surprised," said Maier, whose right leg is still held together by a 36 centimetre-long screw. "I would have never thought that things would move so quickly after my injury."

Maier almost lost his right leg in a motorcycle accident 18 months ago. In five races since his return on January 14, Maier failed to qualify for second run in the GS at Adelboden, then placed 22nd, 7th, 6th and now 1st.

[Source: Ski Press Media]

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