Skiing: Cuche keeps the Austrians at bay

Switzerland's Didier Cuche notched his third World Cup race of the season yesterday by winning the Super G at Kitzbühel, handing hosts Austria a frustrating start to their biggest weekend of the Alpine skiing year. Cuche, who has won in three different disciplines this season, beat home pair Michael Walchhofer and Georg Streitberger into second and third place as he followed up his giant slalom win at Sölden and downhill in Lake Louise. Streitberger was 0.01sec behind his compatriot.

Austria have yet to win a men's World Cup race this year, although that would quickly be forgotten with a home win in today's prestigious downhill on the famous Hahnenkamm. World Cup leader Carlo Janka of Switzerland finished a disappointing 19th but it was enough to keep him top of the overall standings ahead of Austria's Benjamin Raich and Cuche in third.

In Cortina, Italy, Lindsey Vonn reinforced her standing as a firm favourite to claim a clutch of Winter Olympic gold medals next month with victory in the women's World Cup super G yesterday. The American clocked one minute 21.74sec.