Skip to main contentAccess keys helpA-Z index

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
| Help
---------------
CHOOSE A SPORT
RELATED BBC SITES
Last Updated: Saturday, 13 March, 2004, 15:47 GMT
Maier takes World Cup crown
Austrian star Hermann Maier
Hermann Maier clinched the overall men's World Cup title after the final giant slalom of the season at Sestriere was called off because of fog.

With just the slalom to come, he is 42 points ahead of Stephan Eberharter, who is not competing on Sunday.

The first run of the giant slalom was completed on Saturday and saw Bode Miller fall, meaning he too could not catch the Austrian in the standings.

The American had the consolation of securing the giant slalom crown.

Maier's fourth World Cup title completes a remarkable comeback from a career-threatening injury.

The 1998 double Olympic champion was badly injured in August 2001 in a motorbike accident and did not resume competitive skiing again until January 2003.

The "Herminator" endured skin grafts and surgery to implant a titanium rod in his leg, but was not ready to give up and was duly rewarded on Saturday.

He had already won the men's super-G crown.

"My goal before the season was just to finish then season," Maier said.

"This is worth as much as my first Olympic gold medal in Nagano, maybe a little more."

Sunday also sees the last race of the women's season, a giant slalom. Sweden's Anja Paerson has already won the women's overall title.


Final men's giant slalom standings:
1. Bode Miller (US) 410 pts
2. Kalle Palander (Fin) 349
3. Massimiliano Blardone (Ita) 266
4. Benjamin Raich (Aut) 255
5. Davide Simoncelli (Ita) 238
6. Heinz Schilchegger (Aut) 210
7. Frederic Covili (Fra) 190
8. Joel Chenal (Fra) 187
9. Andreas Schifferer (Aut) 186
10. Christoph Gruber (Aut) 181






E-mail services | Sport on mobiles/PDAs

MMIX

Back to top

Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Other Sport | Olympics 2012

Scores & Fixtures | Have Your Say | TV/Radio Listings

Fun and Games | Question of Sport | Photo Galleries

Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales

BBC Sport Academy >> | BBC News >> | BBC Weather >>
About the BBC | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | Contact us
bannerwatch listenbbc sport