03 MAR 2001 > Men's Downhill #2
Eberharter Fought Back
Race Results

Austrian Stephan Eberharter in Kvitfell, Norway, today saved his chance to clinch the downhill World Cup title. The Tyrolian veteran, only 8th in the first of two downhills Friday, won by a margin of 9/100 of a second ahead of Germany's promising newcomer Florian Eckert. Fritz Strobl, also from Austria, was 3rd at 25/ 1000 of a second behind the winner.

Eberharter regained the lead in the downhill standings by a mere six points over his rival, Hermann Maier, only 5th today after winning Friday.

This was the eighth downhill of the season and Eberharter's second victory. The last downhill race, at the World Cup finals in Are, Sweden, will be decisive battle between Eberharter and Maier, the two best skiers in this event this season.

"I have never clinched a World Cup title and this one would be quite prestigious...."

Three months ago, Eberharter won his first downhill, in Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. Here in Kvitfjell, the Austrian was aiming for victory despite, or because of, his 8th place finish Friday.

"We made a mistake in the choice of the skis I used on Friday. I took the wrong model," Eberharter said. "I had an excellent run, but I had no chance with those skis, so I was quite confident before this race. I felt able to win it. It worked out. I'm really glad to fight until the end for the downhill title. I have never clinched a World Cup title and this one would be quite prestigious."

Eberharter, a 12-year World Cup veteran, knows the slope at Are, where the last World Cup downhill of the winter will be held on Wednesday. "You have to be quite precise and perfect there," he said.

While Eberharter competed in Are in 1990, Maier has not been there in his five years on the World Cup tour.

"I just hope the snow will be hard and cold, then I still have a good chance. It will be a big race," Maier said. "I already have a downhill crystal globe, and I just need to clean it up a little and it will look like new," he continued with a grin.

As for his performance today, Maier said, "I was not as relaxed and concentrated today. I made more mistakes than allowed, especially in the final part, but that's okay. It's still a good day for me as I grabbed my third Overall title. I reached the level of past big racers as Ingemar Stenmark, which means something for me. I still feel able to win more races."

Maier will try to prove it Sunday in the super G, prior to this season, his best event. This year, he has won only two super Gs, far fewer than in the past. Among his main rivals is the reigning World Champion Daron Rahlves of the USA.

It was a disappointing day for Rahlves, only 9th today. "I was too aggressive and I didn't achieve a clean run. You can't make a single mistake on this course if you plan to win the race here," Rahlves said after the race. "I'm sad but I still have a chance in tomorrow's super G."

He tried too hard to come back after being disqualified on Friday for putting a knot in his too big bib, though he says he's put it behind him.

"I made a mistake. I just didn't know anything about that rule. I prefer to think about the good moment I had on the course. I had a solid run which gave me momentum for the finals and the end of the season."

USA's Chad Fleischer clocked the 39th best time but was disqualified for missing a gate. He still qualifies for the finals in Are with his 19th place in the downhill standings.

— Patrick Lang, World Cup Correspondent

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