Michael Walchhofer of Austria won the men's World Cup downhill in Austria on Saturday on a course shortened at the top due to strong winds.
   
He clocked 1:50.57 to finish 00.38 seconds clear of a back-to-form Bode Miller of the United States and 00.54 secs ahead of Manuel Osborne-Paradis of Canada.
   
It was the 14th time that Walchhofer had won a World Cup downhill and the third time that he had triumphed at the Saslong course, his favourite on the circuit.
   
"I am a little surprised by my win especially after my 40th place finish in the super-G yesterday, when things looked pretty bleak," he said.
   
"The race conditions were far from perfect but this is a great boost for me and for the whole Austrian team. It's been a year since we last won a downhill, and that was my win here."
   
Norway's Aksel Lund Svidal retained the overall World Cup lead even though he finished outside of the top 30