Cuche at the double with Kitzbuehel downhill win

KITZBUEHEL, Austria (AFP) - Swiss veteran Didier Cuche shot out a warning to pretenders to the crown of World Cup and Olympic speed events with a double triumph here after sealing downhill victory on Saturday.

Cuche made it two out of two with a win down the notorious Streif course to follow up on his super-G success 24 hours earlier - it was the first double here since Stephan Eberharter achieved the feat in 2002.

It was also Cuche's fourth win of the season and 13th overall and came after he clocked 1min 53.74sec, with Slovenian Andrej Sporn at 0.28sec and Italian Werner Heel in third a further 0.11sec adrift.

"I think it's the best weekend in my career," said Cuche. "It's incredible to nail the double that only Eberharter and (Hermann) Maier (in 2001) have achieved.

"I'm really very proud and I offer my excuses to Austria!" joked the Swiss racer.

Cuche said he did not mind that he was seen as the favourite for Olympic gold in Whistler next month.

"It's no problem for me being favourite," admitted Cuche, who revealed he had studied Eberharter's races at least 20 times on the internet so as to inspire him.

"One has to accept it and deep down it gives me great pleasure. I prefer to be favourite than an outsider, it reduces the pressure on me."

Cuche's Swiss team-mate Carlo Janka remained atop the World Cup overall standings after placing 11th at 1.25sec, ahead of Austrian slalom specialist Benjamin Raich, who finished well down the field 3.86sec off Cuche's pace.

Sporn was ecstatic at taking a podium place at such a celebrated downhill, especially as he had not trained in the discipline after undergoing a back operation.

"It's incredible to be here in Kitzbuehel, I can only dream about this, especially after my injury last year.

"It has always been my dream to gain a podium place here.

"I made some mistakes at the top half but after that I gave my all, pushed myself to the limit.

"I had lost all my confidence at the beginning of the season in the American races, but happily I regained it at Val Gardena."

The course's biggest casualty was that of reigning World Cup downhill champion Michael Walchhofer.

The Austrian lost his balance coming into a tight turn after a steep jump, an edge catching and spinning him around backwards before propelling him into the course-side safety netting.

Walchhofer took a few moments to untangle himself from the second of the three-net set-up but was able to ski down unaided, albeit on one ski.