Streitberger wins Super-G

It was a second World Cup success for the 29-year-old who finished 0.11 seconds ahead of runner-up Adrien Theaux of France with world champion Didier Cuche 0.02 seconds away in third.

His only previous win, in Norway in March 2008, had been overshadowed by a tragic accident to team mate Matthias Lanzinger who had a leg amputated after breaking it in a crash.

Streitberger recalled after Saturday's victory: "At the time it was not easy for me cope with the situation of winning on such a day. It was my first win for sure, but it didn't feel like it.

"I had mixed feelings. I won but my friend Matthias was injured. It took me a while to be able to take risks again."

If March 2008 remains a tragic date, Saturday was a day for celebration for Streitberger on the classic Birds of Prey piste.

Austrians have struggled in speed events in recent years but this success followed Michael Walchhofer's victory in the Lake Louise downhill last week and as a result three Austrians are now topping the World Cup overall standings with Mario Scheiber on 175 points leading Walchhofer and Streitberger.

"I think a lot of skiers like me struggled after Matthias's crash but now I'm in great shape and this is like my first victory," said Streitberger.

The winds that forced Friday's downhill to be called off had calmed and the conditions helped runner-up Theaux to his first career podium.

Third-placed Cuche was the only favourite to fare well on an icy slope, making his first podium this season.

American Bode Miller tried too hard and slid out on a sharp turn and other big names were also below par.

World Cup champion Carlo Janka was never in contention and finished one and a half seconds off the pace in 23rd place.

Fellow-Swiss Tobias Gruenenfelder, winner of the first Super-G of the season in Lake Louise, was also out of the top placings.

Olympic champion Aksel-Lund Svindal of Norway was ninth.

The Beaver Creek programme ends on Sunday with a giant slalom which sees the return to competition of Swiss Daniel Albrecht nearly two years after his near-fatal crash in Kitzbuehel.