First World Cup Win for 26-Year-Old American

	Daron Rahlves

Daron Rahlves certainly believes in miracles — and for sure in himself.

Earlier in the morning before the downhill race in Kvitfjell, he asked one of the US Ski Team assistant coaches to bring his camera to the finish line to take some memorable pictures — it was the first time he had ever done this.

"I felt it could be my day; it was up in the air. I like this course a lot and I felt really sure of myself after my strong training runs," Rahlves explained to journalists while being congratulated by his colleagues from the other teams. Most of them looked as happy as if they had won themselves. They knew what it meant to him to win this downhill on the very same course where former teammate Tommy Moe won his '94 Olympic Gold.

"There is still more left for me..." — Daron Rahlves (USA)

"It was a shock when I saw that I had the fastest time at the finish line," Rahlves continued "I wanted to shout, but I couldn't. I knew I had a serious chance today because I have always skied well here, and I was really cool. I went home to California last week and had a great time with some friends, powder-skiing and fooling around with them. It was perfect for my mood after this long season, and I felt ready for a nice coup here."

Rahlves spent time skiing at Squaw Valley, California, with friends Jonny Moseley, Olympic Gold Medalist in the last Winter Olympics in Nagano, and Shane McConkey, Freeskiing World Tour champion in 1998 and President of the International Freeskiing Association (IFSA).

Rahlves has also found new momentum after recovering from a knee injury earlier this year. "I injured my left knee in January, but the pain is gone now after some strong treatments, and I could fight hard today."

With this victory — the seventh for a US skier in downhill after Billy Johnson (3), Kyle Rasmussen (2) and AJ Kitt (1) — Rahlves is almost assured a spot at the World Cup Finals in Bormio, Italy, March 15-19. The top-25 skiers will compete, and Rahlves is now in 14th position in the downhill standings with 144 points.

"It's good that an American wins again here — to keep the tradition alive. We will have a small party tonight, but not too wild because I want to ski fast again over the weekend. There is still more left for me."

Rahlves wants to fight for more, including an eventual spot as the top downhill skier. In the next downhill, he will face a major attack from the Europeans, including Hermann Maier, who should have found a fighting spirit with this unexpected 3rd place.

But as said, Daron remains relaxed and ready for everything.

— Manuele Joyce, MountainZone.com European Correspondent