Norway's reigning World Cup overall champion Aksel Lund Svindal has shown he is back to his best after a knee injury by claiming his first win of the season in the men's Super G race at Valgardena, Italy.
The 26-year-old, who celebrates his birthday on Boxing Day, moved up to third in the overall men's FIS World Cup Super G standings by the virtue of his 13th World Cup success and fifth in the discipline at the Saslong Classic on Friday.
Svindal was consistency itself through an extra twisty 45-gate course as he clocked a time of 1minute 38.35seconds.
He came home 0.12 seconds ahead of Switzerland’s Carlo Janka, who appeared to have victory in the bag until the Norwegian's surging run, and 0.17 seconds clear of Italy's Patrick Staudacher, who claimed his first World Cup podium.
Svindal said: "I'm absolutely delighted, not just because it's the first win of the season, but also because I enjoyed it so much. Last year I was really slow here, but hard work pays off.
“As regards my knee. Well, it held well in a bandage and I didn't suffer. I knew I could target a podium here as the piste suits me - it's very varied."
FIS World Cup standings
1. Benjamin Raich Aut 565 points
2. Carlo Janka Sui 553
3. Aksel Lund Svindal Nor 443
4. Didier Cuche Sui 436
5. MIchael Wachhofer Aut 333
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