Switzerland's Corinne Imlig has achieved a surprise downhill win in front of home fans in the resort of Lenzerheide. It was the 20-year-old's sixth World Cup race.

Switzerland's Corinne Imlig has achieved a surprise downhill win in front of home fans in the resort of Lenzerheide. It was the 20-year-old's sixth World Cup race.

Imlig started 33rd and has never been placed higher than 20th in a downhill. But she gave a glimpse of what was to come when she posted the fastest time in training last Wednesday.

"I can't explain it," she said. "I had good training runs but training and races are different."

Imlig, who set a time of 1:48.66, was in part aided by the changing weather conditions. The sun bathed the Scalottas course as the later starters went down, making it much quicker.

She was followed over the line by Germany's Petra Haltmayer, in 1:48:69. The overall World Cup leader and downhill champion, Renate Götschl of Austria, shared third place with Russia's Olesja Alieva, in 1:48:99.

Imlig's victory is a boost to the once powerful Swiss skiing team, which has shown disappointing form this season.

From staff and wire reports

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