Two victories, another podium result and the men's overall World Cup lead. Swiss skiers are back.
Switzerland's Daniel Albrecht and Martina Schild posted a rare double World Cup win on Sunday, while veteran Didier Cuche took over the men's overall lead, demonstrating that the small Alpine nation's decade-long slump has finally come to an end.
"It's a great day for Switzerland," said Cuche, who finished third in the giant slalom to overtake injured reigning overall champion Aksel Lund Svindal atop the standings.
PHOTO: AP
Albrecht, who was only 11th after the opening leg, delivered a stunning second run on the Birds of Prey course. It marked his second win in four days, after he earned his first career World Cup win on Thursday in the super-combi.
Schild battled biting cold and a slick track in Lake Louise, Alberta, to win the season-opening women's super-G for her first career World Cup victory.
It marked the first double win for Swiss skiers since Jan. 6, 2001. Then, Sonja Nef won a GS at Maribor, Slovenia, and Michael von Gruenigen another at Les Arcs in France.
Already this season, the Swiss have twice as many victories as in any of the last six seasons.
Their results confirm their breakthrough last season, when Marc Berthod posted his maiden World Cup victory to end three-year winless streak for the Swiss -- one that stretched to seven years in slalom.
Once an Alpine skiing superpower, Switzerland fell into a deep slump over the last decade as Austria took over as the dominant nation.
The last Swiss man to win the overall title was Paul Accola in 1992. The last Swiss women's champion was Vreni Schneider in 1995.
Repeated changes in the coaching staff, a focus on the nation's stars at the cost of the development teams and poor equipment choices had all lead to Switzerland's decline.
"It's a matter of all the World Cup group working well, now" Cuche explained. "And having consistent coaches in the last three years is helping."
Albrecht sat in the finish area watching as 10 other racers failed to match his time.
Austrian Mario Matt finished second, just .05 back.
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