Olympic champion Defago wins World Cup downhill | The Jordan Times

Olympic champion Defago wins World Cup downhill

AP | Dec 30,2011 | 23:04

Switzerland’s Didier Defago speeds down the course on his way to win a men’s World Cup downhill in Bormio, Italy, Thursday (AP photo by Alessandro Trovati)

BORMIO, Italy — Olympic champion Didier Defago won a grueling World Cup downhill on the bumpy Stelvio course Thursday, showing that the Swiss racer has fully recovered from a knee injury that kept him out all of last season.

Defago had a nearly flawless run and clocked 2 minutes, 1.81 seconds, with fellow Swiss Patrick Kueng 0.29 seconds behind and Klaus Kroell of Austria in third, 0.42 back.

It was the fourth World Cup win of Defago’s career and his third in downhill, having won the classic races in Wengen and Kitzbuehel back-to-back three years ago.

Defago appeared set for greatness after snatching one of the most prized gold medals at last year’s Vancouver Olympics, but then in September 2010 he ruptured knee ligaments in preseason training and spent seven months off the slopes.

“I’m just happy to be racing again. Everything is positive now,” Defago said. “I’ve been waiting for this race since the start of the season. I like this course and it suits my style. I knew I could do well.”

Defago has picked a good time to regain his form, with the next downhills in Wengen and Kitzbuehel.

“I had some difficult times and I suffered but the support from my family and the doctors was a big help,” Defago said. “That’s why I travel with my family — it was great to have my wife and two kids here to celebrate with them.”

Defago and Kueng also had loud support from a large group of red-clad Swiss fans, with the Swiss border only a short drive away.

An early starter with the No. 11 bib, Defago didn’t celebrate much at the finish with the top-ranked downhillers still to start, although he did hold up a finger to signal he was No. 1 — and that’s where he remained as a slight wind appeared to slow the later starters.

“What Didier has done after that injury is truly unbelievable. I can only bow my head and tip my hat to him,” said fellow Swiss standout Didier Cuche, who finished eighth.

Kueng, meanwhile, was sitting third when the previous downhill in Val Gardena was canceled due to strong winds.

“I told Kueng this morning that after he lost that podium in Val Gardena he better show he can do it again today and he did,” Cuche said. “Of course I’m frustrated with my finish today but I’m happy for both of my teammates.”

Defago became the fourth different Swiss man to win this season, with Cuche taking the opening downhill in Lake Louise, Alberta; Sandro Viletta winning a super-G in Beaver Creek, Colorado; and Beat Feuz taking a super-G in Val Gardena earlier this month.

After a break for New Year, the men’s circuit resumes with a slalom in Zaghreb, Croatia, January 5.

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