ST. ANTON, Austria Hermann Maier needs to successfully defend his downhill world title on Saturday if the Austrian is to save face in front of the home crowds.

Maier came to these world championships as the undisputed favorite, but the Austrian has been stunned by losing his Super-G world crown to American Daron Rahlves.

The man who often claimed any medal other than gold was worthless was also beaten by archrival and compatriot Stephan Eberharter and had to settle for Super-G bronze.

Maier remains optimistic despite having previously said the outcome of the opening race in St. Anton would affect his performance in the other disciplines.

"I'm looking forward to the downhill. I feel no pressure at all. I had more pressure at other big events," said Maier.

To keep his rivals at bay, Maier may find he has to produce a run as furious as the one which lifted him to downhill triumph at the 1999 world championships in vail.

But his opponents now know that a skier who won two world, two Olympic and two overall World Cup titles in only three winters is not invincible at big events.

(Reuter)