Cuche crowned downhill champion

Cuche's title was the first major honour of his career

Didier Cuche secured this year's World Cup downhill title when he won his first race of the season in the campaign's penultimate race in Norway.

The victory gave Cuche his first major title in over 10 years of racing, as he is 168 points ahead of Marco Buechel with just one race remaining.

Canada's Erik Guay was 0.06 seconds behind in second place while Buechel was a further 0.23 seconds back.

Scotland's Finlay Mickel finished in 25th place in a time of 1:29.89.

Bad conditions meant the race was interrupted for 90 minutes because of poor visibility and at one stage it seemed as though it could be cancelled.

"I nearly started celebrating when they were about to cancel the race," said Cuche.

"It was not easy to re-focus when they decided to continue the competition but I was able to and I'm really happy with the way I skied and the way I kept my nerve.

"It's a great feeling after all the fights I've had over the last two years.

"It's amazing; I can't explain what I'm feeling right now."

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Men's downhill result from Kvitfjell:

1. Didier Cuche (SUI) 1min 28.51sec
2. Erik Guay (CAN) 1:28.57
3. Marco Buechel (LIE) 1:28.80
4. Michael Walchhofer (AUT) 1:28.84
5. Peter Fill (ITA) 1:28.94
6. Johan Clarey (FRA) 1:29.20
7. Bruno Kernen (SUI) 1:29.25
8. Didier Défago (SUI) 1:29.25
9. Werner Heel (ITA) 1:29.27
10. Lars Myhre (NOR) 1:29.30
Also:
25. Finlay Mickel, Britain, 1:29.89.