Viletta of Switzerland earns 1st World Cup win

Viletta just had a feeling this day was close.

With the weather and the course precisely to his liking, Viletta let loose and picked up his first win.

"I risked all at the top," said Viletta, whose previous best finish was fourth in a giant slalom nearly three years ago in Adelboden, Switzerland. "I just pushed as much I can."

Just when Svindal was starting to think he had a win sewn up, along came Viletta's run.

Although Svindal didn't ski all that well at the top, he wasn't fretting since no one really had. Austria's Georg Streitberger, the defending champion at this event, skied off early, as did Ted Ligety of the U.S.

But once Svindal caught a glimpse of Viletta gliding through the top section of the hill so effortlessly, so smoothly, Svindal knew he was in trouble. Viletta had the top time through that demanding stretch and carried it on through to the finish.

"The way Viletta skied that (top), he absolutely earned the victory," Svindal said.

As a result of his first win, Viletta is hoping for a little perk on the flight home — an upgrade to business class.

Maybe riding in comfort will help ease his fear of flying.

AP Sports Writer Pat Graham can be reached at http://twitter.com/pgraham34.