Regine Cavagnoud (FRA)

After an almost perfect run, she beat Switzerland's newcomer Sylviane Berthod, who conquered her first time on a World Cup podium, by over a second. Austria's Michaela Dorfmeister finished 3rd, her fourth time in one week among the top-3.

"I spent much time examining the run during the inspection and I felt that it could be a good race for me..." — Regine Cavagnoud (FRA)

Established speed demons such as Germany's Martina Ertl and Italy's Isolde Kostner, a four-time winner here in past years, did not finish the technically demanding run. Others including Corinne Rey-Bellet, Alexandra Meissnitzer, Pernilla Wiberg and Renate Goetschl, the winner from Friday, also finished way behind the leaders.

The tricky run inspired outsiders including Italy's Karen Putzer, 4th; Croatia's Janica Kostelic, 5th; and Canada's Melanie Turgeon, who reached a career-best 6th place in this Super-G. Megan Gerety was the best US skier in 9th place.

Meissnitzer, despite her disappointing 13th place, her worst for a long time in super-G, reinforced her lead in the overall and in the super-G World Cup standings since her closest rivals didn't score many points either.

Cavagnoud, 3rd in yesterday's super-G race, was the only favorite who enjoyed the treacherous course set by Austria's trainer Herbert Mandl.

"I spent much time examining the run during the inspection and I felt that it could be a good race for me," Cavagnoud explained after the competition. "I found right-away a good rhythm at the start. In fact, I think I achieved a kind of dream run today. The great results of the first two days took a lot a pressure away from my shoulders and I was able to ski with much confidence and determination today. I still can't believe how fast I have skied today. This is a great result before the World Championships. I will be able to take a lot of risks in Vail as I have already done so well here."

Sylviane Berthod, who started for the first time in her career in the first seed, was even happier than the winner after the race.

"This is incredible," Berthod said with tears in the eyes. "I'm having such a great time here these days. Yesterday I qualified for the Ski World Championships after finishing 8th, and I gained a spot in the first seed and now this wonderful 2nd place. I just can't believe it."

Berthod, who is 21 years old from Salin, in the French- speaking part of Switzerland, is taking sweet revenge this season. A year ago, she missed her place in the Olympic team by a few hundredths of a second after finishing 16th in a downhill in Are, Sweden. This time she earned her spot with class.

Croatian Janica Kostelic reached her best super-G finish yet with 5th place today. The 17-year-old racer from Zagreb has the mental and the technical ability to fight for medals at Vail in two weeks.

In Sunday's giant slalom, Anita Wachter will be looking for her fourth win this season. Unbeaten in that event since Semmering's competition, the tiny Austrian will likely take advantage of the hard snow conditions in the first run. Italy's Deborah Compagnoni, who hasn't won a single race this season, will also be shooting for the podium as will Norway's Andrine Flemmen, Switzerland's Sonja Nef and the overall World Cup leader Alexanda Meissnizter, who has always placed among the top-3 in giant slalom this winter.

— Mountain Zone European Correspondent