Hermann "The Herminator" Maier was a happy man at the finish line of the Lake Louise super G, which he won for the second year in a row. Apparently, his excitement wasn't limited to the fact that this was his 30th World Cup victory, or that he redeemed himself after finishing 15th in Saturday's downhill — but Maier beamed as he gave the winner's bouquet to his girlfriend Gudrund who attended the race.

He didn't need long to rebound after his poor downhill race. With a typical Hermann Maier run down the Olympic course, the Austrian won his 14th super G in front of Norway's Lasse Kjus and four more Austrians including Saturday's winner Stephan Eberharter, who finished 5th.

"Lake Louise is a very nice place. One can feel like he's on holiday here — especially when his girlfriend is with him," Maier said to an Austrian broadcast reporter after his run.

"I don't need anymore to win all my races; once in a while is also fine."

Maier was happy to have won this race. It's important for his moral to know that he can continue to win. After so many good seasons, it's not always easy to find the right motivation and the best concentration. "I don't need anymore to win all my races, once in a while is also fine," he admitted.

"Maybe I was not so concentrated in the downhill, but today I had a fine run — not the best, but good enough for the podium. I took some chances but I tried to keep my skis under control as much as possible," he said.

Maier said he was also pleased that Kjus, who finished a close 2nd, is coming back so strong. "He will push me. We will have an exciting season, I guess."

At the finish line, Maier was anxious and waited almost an hour before relaxing and admitting he won the race. He got nervous when the weather conditions began to improve, giving better visibility to the late starters such as his teammate Christian Gruber, who cruised with the fourth best intermediate time before ending in 6th position.

"You never know with the weather here; yesterday the wind was a major factor. I was very lucky not to crash in the last gliding section. Each season is different, and I have other goals now than a year ago. I want to have some good results before the Worlds in February in St. Anton and then win some medals there.

This is also the plan for Norway's Kjus, who reached his third podium in four races— quite a strong season start after he missed almost the entire last season because of health problems.

Kjus was pleased by his run and aims now for more next week at Beaver Creek, Colorado. "I needed some time before attacking the course with greater determination here, I first wanted to feel comfortable," he said.

"This season's start is excellent for me— one of my best in recent winters in fact. It's good to be back so soon with the top guys. I was hoping it, but you never know. My first concern is to remain healthy, then I can perform the way I wish. I'm looking forward for my first win, but I'm not too concerned about it. It will come by itself."

Kjus compared the early-season competition to the Overall World Cup title he won two seasons ago. "I had to wait the very last race in 1999 to clinch it again. It will come by itself if I'm consistent. It's too early to worry - also for the World Championships. We have two more months to wait."

Half of top-20 finishers were Austrian, but two US skiers made it among them: Daron Rahlves, who came in 13th; and Chad Fleischer, 20th. American Bode Miller also had a great day finishing 22nd, and teammate Paul Casey Puckett was 28th. Jakub Fiala, 31st, missed his first points of the season by only 10/100 of a second, but with four skiers in the points, the US ski team did well.

Rahlves looks with more confidence toward Beaver Creek, and this 13th place is a good step for him. He clocked the 5th best intermediate time at the top but made some mistakes afterwards. "I was too wide in some turns, but I feel it's coming," Rahlves said.

"Maybe I put too much pressure on myself here, but I know that I have the potential to fight for the podium. It's just a matter to put everything together. Bird's of Prey at Beaver Creek is technically more demanding, so I hope to move ahead there. Let's see."

— Patrick Lang, World Cup Correspondent

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