Daily Updates — Live from Nagano

Men's Super G Color Commentary by Martin Bell [click for transcript]

Swiss and Austrian Share Silvers

Der Herminator [click to zoom]

The elements finally cleared up in Hakuba, Japan to reveal Hermann Maier of Austria doing what he does best — win skiing competitions.

Despite a week of delayed and cancelled races, fans, athletes and organizers came out to Happo'One in Hakuba, Japan once again in hopes of witnessing some alpine skiing action and today it happened. Although early morning fog delayed the men's Super G, the day's scheduled events went off as planned much to the sparse crowds' delight.

Kjetil Andre Aamodt [click to zoom] [Hear an excited Aamodt]

When Hermann Maier arrived at the finish area with the best time after eight racers, it became clear with each following racer that Maier was back on top. Maier, who had a bad crash during the downhill on Friday, and is the reigning World Cup champion and favorite, put down a solid run today and produced his first medal in Nagano.

Maier navigated well through the gates hammering the course, which was welcomed by a crowd of cheering spectators. His time pushed him ahead of his countryman, Hans Knauss, to take the lead. Maier didn't rejoice in the finish area, but seemed to be content with getting his skiing back on the winning track and "back to business."

The Rubber Maier [click to zoom]

"He did the 'wolf dance'..."

Didier Cuche of Switzerland, who was the 17th racer, tied Knauss' time and was awarded the silver medal. Cuche was so ecstatic with his run and placement that he did the "wolf dance" before his skis and the happy Japanese spectators.

The Italian Stallion [click to zoom]

After 40 racers followed Mr. Maier, his time stood and he walked away with Nagano gold. The Austrian shared the podium with the two silver medalists; his teammate Hans Knauss and the still giddy, Didier Cuche.

Results
1 Hermann Maier Austria 1:34.82
2 Didier Cuche Switzerland 1:35.43
2 Hans Knauss Austria 1:35.43
4 Alessandro Fattori Italy 1:35.61
5 Kjetil Andre Aamodt Norway 1:35.67
6 Patrik Jaerbyn Sweden 1:35.72
7 Daron Rahlves United States 1:35.96

The Three Amigos [click to zoom]

8 Tommy Moe United States 1:35.97
9 Lasse Kjus Norway 1:36.25
10 Fredrik Nyberg Sweden 1:36.31
11 Bruno II Kernen Switzerland 1:36.37
12 Brian Stemmle Canada 1:36.40
13 Kyle Rasmussen United States 1:36.52
14 Steve Locher Switzerland 1:36.62
15 Werner Perathoner Italy 1:36.64
16 Kristian Ghedina Italy 1:36.70
17 Jernej Koblar Slovenia 1:36.84
18 Paul Accola Switzerland 1:36.87
19 Andreas Schiferer Austria 1:37.00
19 Peter Runggaldier Italy 1:37.00
21 Andrej Filischkin Russia 1:37.29
22 Enis Becirbecovic Bosnia-Herzegovina 1:37.58
23 Peter Pen Slovenia 1:37.81
24 Tsuyoshi Tomii Japan 1:37.86
25 Jean-Luc Cretier France 1:37.95
26 Juergen Hasler Liechtenstein 1:38.32
27 Yasuyuki Takishita Japan 1:38.39
28 Ales Brezavsek Slovenia 1:38.54
29 Vasilij Bezsmelnizin Russia 1:39.39
30 Vedran Pavlek Croatia 1:39.63
31 Graham Bell Britain 1:39.80
32 Renato Gaspar Croatia 1:39.85
33 Andrew Freshwater Britain 1:39.89
34 Chad Fleischer United States 1:40.19
35 Tejs Briber Denmark 1:41.09
36 Igar Yudin Belarus 1:45.92
37 Marcelo Apovian Brazil 1:49.43

Adrien Duvillard France DNS
Thomas Loedler Croatia DNS
Frederic Marin-Cudraz France DNF
Thomas Grob Chile DNF
Zourab Djidjishvili Georgia DNF
Victor Gomez Andorra DNF
Alexander Heath South Africa DNF
Stefan Eberharter Austria DQ
Nicholas Burtin France DQ
Ed Podivinsky Canada DQ


— Brent Brookler, Zone Team East, Losing My Religion For The Mountain Zone