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Eberharter wins men's giant slalom

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Overall leader Stephan Eberharter of Austria, who clinched the men's World Cup downhill title the day before, edged the favorites Sunday to win a men's giant slalom race.

Eberharter, who won Saturday's downhill race to capture the coveted World Cup discipline trophy, showed he was just as comfortable among the technical skiers, winning the final race before the Olympic games in a two-run aggregate time of two minutes, 32.66 seconds.

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It marked Eberharter's fourth career giant slalom victory. His last win in the discipline came almost exactly three years ago in Ofterschwang, Germany.

Home favorite Didier Cuche excited home fans when he vaulted from seventh to second place after a final trip, clocking 2:32.68.

Austria's Hans Knauss was third in 2:33.04, followed by Bode Miller, who earlier this season became the first American since 1983 to win a giant slalom. Miller finished fourth in 2:33.32.

Finland's Sami Uotila was fifth in 2:33.42, ahead of Austrian Christoph Gruber, sixth with 2:33.74.

Discipline leader Frederic Covili's 18th place finish kept alive the chance for Eberharter and another handful of other skiers to clinch the giant slalom title. The Frenchman had looked shaky in both runs, crossing eighth in the opening leg, then nearly losing control in the second.

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Eberharter, who has won five of eight downhills this season and three of four super-Gs, also leads the super-G and overall standings.

The 32-year-old Austrian is the hot favorite for Olympic gold in both speed disciplines in Salt Lake City. After Sunday's win in the giant slalom, he is also considered a strong medal contender for that event as well.

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