/world sport
(CNN) -- Italy's Cristof Innerhofer mastered the treacherous conditions on the Stelvio course at Bormio to win the prestigious World Cup downhill event on Sunday.
Innerhofer (center) is flanked on the podium by Kroll (left) and Walchhofer.
Innerhofer was the very first competitor down an icy and rutted course and finished in two minutes 3.55 seconds, pumping the air with delight after crossing the line.
His time proved insurmountable for the elite of men's downhill skiing with Austraian Klaus Kroell his nearest challenger, finishing 0.32 seconds behind.
Kroll's compatriot Michael Walchhofer claimed third, nearly a second adrift.
It was the 24-year-old Innerhofer's first World Cup victory in the final downhill of 2008.
Last year's overall World Cup winner, Bode Miller of the United States, claimed fourth after starting from 46th position.
Miller, who won at Bormio last year, raised eyebrows by missing Saturday's compulsory bib draw, and was handed a later starting slot. He faces a penalty from the world skiing federation (FIS) for making himself absent.
Walchhofer remains top of the World Cup downhill standings ahead of Kroell while Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway increased his lead in the overall race.
Svindal finished a disappointing 17th at Bormio, but closest rival Benjamin Raich, a slalom specialist, opted out of Sunday's race. Miller is back in 10th after a lackluster season.
In women's World Cup action on Sunday, Austria's Kathrin Zettel won the giant slalom at Semmering, ahead of Italian Manuela Molgg and Lara Gut of Switzerland.
It was Zettel's second win of the season as she finished in a combined time of two minutes 10.90 seconds -- 0.37 seconds ahead of Molgg.
Lindsey Vonn of the United States took eighth to remain top of the overall standings.
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