Austria's Renate Goetschl celebrated sweet revenge by winning the second downhill held in St. Moritz, on the course of the 2003 Alpine World Championships. She beat Italy's Isolde Kostner, who accused her of fraud two weeks ago in Canada's Lake Louise, by 10/100. France's Régine Cavagnoud, was 3rd at 64/100 of a seconds back. Cavagnoud took advantage of Martina Ertl's bad race here (she was only 33rd) to move up in the overall World Cup standings.

Goetschl was 2nd on Saturday in the first of two downhills here. In the speed events, she has proven this season that she is still a force to be reckoned wit. This season she has won a super G at Lake Louise, finished on the podium in a downhill at Lake Louise and in St. Moritz. But she was aiming for her first downhill win of the season in order to build her confidence heading in to the World Championships at St. Anton in six weeks.

Last summer, the 25-year-old from the south of Salzburg switched to Salomon skis, and she was looking for some strong results to maintain her confidence as the reigning downhill World Champion. In 1999, she won six downhills and the World title before clinching the overall World Cup standings last season.

"It's a nice Christmas present to myself today in winning this last downhill before the break."

"It's a nice Christmas present to myself today, winning this last downhill before the break," she said. "I felt fine after my good results yesterday and in Canada, but there is nothing better than a victory to become really confident. I had a good season start in the speed events, but next month it will be important to be strong in order to be relaxed before the World Championships."

Brigitte Obermoser, the winner Saturday, was a strong 4th. Four Americans were among the top-20: Jonna Mendes was 11th, Kirsten Clark 13th, and Alison Powers and Megan Gerety tied for 17th. Picabo Street finished far behind in 46th place, over three seconds behind the leader, after a big mistake. Her comeback may take longer that she thought.

France's Mélanie Suchet crashed, tearing knee ligaments —l another bad accident for this skier who has since 1994 been plagued by injuries.

The best four of the day all had late starts — Goetschl wore bib no. 29, Kostner no. 30, and Cavagnoud no. 28. Canada's Emily Brydon, a surprising 3rd Saturday, had to be content with a far 26th place this time. Her teammate, Mélanie Turgeon, moved up to 9th place after a slow run on Saturday.

The next women's events, a GS and a slalom, are planned for Tuesday and Wednesday in Italy's Sestriere — another opportunity for American Sarah Schleper to reach a podium for the US ski team.

— Manuéle Lang, World Cup Correspondent

Email this story to a friend