Erik Guay wins downhill bronze while Italy’s Fill wins season title

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland – Canadian Erik Guay has captured a bronze medal in the final men’s downhill of the World Cup season.

The Mont-Tremblant, Que., racer finished .54 seconds behind Beat Feuz of Switzerland, who won in one minute 40.44 seconds.

Peter Fill, who was 10th, became the first Italian to win the overall downhill crown.

Fill started the race even in points with Aksel Lund Svindal, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since January, and four points above Dominik Paris, who was not at his best after crashing in training on Tuesday and injuring his thigh and knee.

Paris, who won the past two downhills, attacked at the start but was clearly struggling and finished 19th. Fill was last to go and knew he just needed to finish safely to clinch the title, so took no chances on the tricky Corviglia course in falling snow.

He was 1.36 seconds behind Feuz.

“It’s a very important day,” said a beaming Flavio Roda, the president of the Italian ski federation. “It’s something which has never been achieved by Italians so it’s very emotional.

“We need to celebrate these guys, especially Peter. This is the most important present for him. I’ll just give him a hug.”

Steven Nyman of the United States was second on the day, just 0.08 slower than Feuz, to clinch a fourth successive podium.

“I skied really, really well today; nailed the top, the technical section that leads onto the flat,” Nyman said. “But then the last turn I was a little too shallow, and didn’t carry the speed I needed, and that’s where they got me.

“Hard to believe, four podiums in a row. I learned a lot this year, really happy, feeling strong, but I’m also ready for the season to end.”

Nyman said his performance on the course which will host next year’s world Championships will serve as “a real confidence booster.”

Kjetil Jansrud finished fourth to move level with Paris in third spot in the overall standings.

“I’m happy for Fill, congratulations to him,” Paris said. “There’s still a bit of pain, there wasn’t much visibility, I didn’t understand the slope … everything was missing a bit today.”