VAL D'ISERE, France Double Olympic and world champion Hermann Maier claimed his second successive World Cup Downhill win on Saturday, leading an Austrian sweep of the top four places.

Maier, a lowly 15th in the season-opener in Lake Louise, Canada, was firmly back in command as he stormed down the 3,090 meters Oreiller-Killy course in one minute 45.04 seconds.

It was his fourth win of the season and extended his lead in the overall standings.

Stephane Eberharter, first in Lake Louise, was second in 1:45.35 and stayed ahead of Maier in the downhill standings.

Fritz Strobl, unlikely winner in the French resort in 1997, was third in 1:45.59.

Andreas Schifferer came fourth in 1:46.04.

(Reuter)