In a repeat performance of his finish here last year, Daron Rahlves (Sugar Bowl, CA) just missed the podium. Though he nailed the bottom of the treacherous Streif course, Rahlves finished seven one-hundredths of a second behind to take 4th place.

World Cup leader Stephan Eberharter of Austria gave the homeland crowd plenty to cheer about Friday, capturing the super G to open Hahnenkamm Weekend in an unofficial 1:18.91. Alessandro Fattori of Italy was 2nd in 1:19.32 and Swiss Didier Cuche, was 3rd in 1:19.78.

A stunning finish by Thomas Vonn (Newburgh, NY) was wiped out after a disqualification. Vonn had the 13th-fastest time, but was disqualified when his binding stand height measured just over the allowable maximum of 55mm. Several layers of duct tape on part of the top of the binding to "cant," or adjust, his stance on the binding wouldn't fit in the measuring equipment at the finish.

"I'm disappointed because I wanted to be on the podium," said Rahlves, who was 4th in the Kitzbuehel super G a year ago, too. "It was really hard to keep the line. I was really feeling it today. I thought I made some good turns, but it wasn't good enough."

Rahlves, who was 19th fastest in the first intermediate run, was very strong on the bottom of the famed Streif course.

The world super G champ will carry some strong motivation from this race into tomorrow's downhill.

"Kitzbuehel is the greatest," said Rahlves. "Just look at the people and the excitement. I definitely have a good feeling inside — it's burning in my belly! I'm looking forward to coming down the Streif in the downhill tomorrow. Bring it on."

While he matched his super G finish of a year ago here today, Rahlves is hoping to best his 3rd place finish of a year ago in the Hahnenkamm downhill. He starts in the lucky 13 position tomorrow.

— Courtesy, US Ski Team