On a cold, icy, dark course that many races called the most grueling of the season, Stephan Eberharter pulled out a downhill victory that extended his lead in the World Cup Points chase. Eberharter covered the course in 1:55.68, just over a second faster than Switzerland's Didier Cuche, who was second in 1:56.75.

Daron Rahlves of the U.S., who had the fastest training runs for each of the past three days, finished third in 1:56.98. The placing assured Rahlves of a second place finish for the season in the downhill points race with one event remaining. It will be the best finish ever for an American in the downhill discipline.

Rahlves has been solid all year in the downhill, with six podiums, including a victory at Bormio and his historic win in the Hahnenkamm downhill at Kitzbuehel four weeks ago. Only two American men have ever cracked the top-three in the grueling downhill battle. Bill Johnson finished third in 1984, and AJ Kitt was third in 1991. Rahlves' previous best finish was 10th in 2000 when he won the final two downhills in Kvitfjell, Norway -- the one remaining stop on the 2003 tour.

In order to battle for the season-long title Rahlves needed a win and some help from Eberharter, but got neither. Despite an early mistake, Rahlves battled back through the mid-section of the Kandahar, but there was no touching Eberharter who added to his lead to clinch the title with just one downhill remaining at the World Cup Finals in Lillehammer.

It was, more or less, a rugged day for the Americans. Marco Sullivan, starting 20th, waited over 10 minutes for fence repair after 18th-running World Champion Michael Walchofer went out. Sullivan overcame an early mistake to put himself into contention before going out on the bottom. Eberharter, starting 21st, simply blasted the pack to take a huge lead. Bode Miller, starting 27th, finished well off the pace in 28th. Jake Fiala was 32nd.

Miller's finish enabled him to pick up only three Cup points, while Eberharter gained 100 for his victory. Thus, heading into tomorrow's Super-G, Eberharter leads the overall points race with 1,065 to Miller's 960.

— MountainZone.com staff, with additional material courtesy U.S. Ski Team