Ghedina achieves hometown win
Italy's Kristian Ghedina achieved an impressive performance today in Val Gardena by winning his tenth World Cup race on home turf, beating some of best skiers in the world in what is becoming an extremely competitive year for downhill events.

He beat Norway's Lasse Kjus, winner of yesterday's downhill, by 14/100 of a second, and Austria's Werner Franz by 28/100. Franz, again the best of the "Austrian Snow Force," showed consistent strength with his 3rd place finish. Ghedina, from Cortina d'Ampezzo, came 4th yesterday.

Hermann Maier can also be proud of his fourth place at half a second from the leader. The defending overall World Cup champion was disturbed in the first part of the course by a French team official, who cruised down the run in front of him to rescue one of Jean Luc Cretier who had just crashed. Cretier fell down after the first jump and suffered a serious knee injury. He was transported by helicopter to a nearby hospital in Bressanone, but his trainers fear that he has torn a ligament, which may force him to retire earlier than expected.

Ghedina dominated the competition throughout the demanding "Saslong" run which was once again, very fast. He set the best intermediate times ahead of Kjus.

"I knew where I made mistakes yesterday and I was very motivated today before my start because I didn't want to delude once more my fans" Ghedina said. "Having won the race here two years ago gave me much responsibility and I skied with much anger this time. I pushed myself at the limits this time. It's a great way to celebrate Christmas for me. Such a win in my country will boost my moral for the coming events. I expect a lot of fans to support me in the coming races such as Bormio and Kitzbuhel. I'm also very confident now regarding the World Championships at Vail, the course from Beaver Creek is superb. In fact I won there last season."

Lasse Kjus was not upset at all by his short defeat. The 1996 Overall World Cup winner knew why and where he lost the race.

"I was quite tired today as I couldn't sleep last night and was not able to be as aggressive as yesterday," said Kjus. "I made several small mistakes in the upper part of the course but I don't want to complain. It's always great to finish among the top-3. I wonder how I will feel tomorrow and Monday before the next competitions. For sure I will be burned out."

Double Olympic Champion Hermann Maier's, lost his concentration for a minute after seeing the French doctor skiing next to him. "This is a scandal," he shouted after his run. "Such a problem should never happened in our sport. It's crazy. I was out of my mind afterwards and I couldn't find back my best concentration. It's just too bad because I was in good shape today and ready for a strong run."

The "Herminator" will try to strike back in tomorrow's giant slalom in Alta Badia where he placed 3rd last year. "It will be difficult because specialists such as Von Grunigen or Cristian Mayer could train a lot GS in the last days while we raced here, but for sure, I will give my best."

—Mountain Zone European Correspondent