(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-30 10:52

BEAVER CREEK, Colorado - Switzerland's Daniel Albrecht claimed his first World Cup victory with a superb slalom run to give him top spot in Thursday's Super Combined.

On a day of surprises, Albrecht was fifth fastest in the downhill, trailing pace-setting compatriot Didier Cuche in the speed discipline, but produced a great slalom to jump to the top of the standings.

Daniel Albrecht of Switzerland celebrates winning the men's World Cup Super Combined in Beaver Creek, Colorado, Nov. 29, 2007. [Agencies]

France's Jean-Baptiste Grange, a bronze medallist in slalom at the world championships, surged from 37th after the downhill to claim his first World Cup podium, finishing second, 0.67 seconds behind Albrecht.

Ondrej Bank of the Czech Republic finished in third place -- his first podium finish -- with American Bode Miller pushed into fourth.

The tough challenge of the downhill on the Birds of Prey worked to the benefit of the technical skiers who all came back well in the second leg on aggressive snow.

"I knew when I had a good downhill that I could make the podium and I had a really good feeling before going down for that slalom," Albrecht told reporters.

"I had been feeling good in the summer training and Beaver Creek suits me well -- the downhill is fast, steep with tough jumps and sharp turns. I have a feeling the next three races here could be good for me," added Albrecht who will compete in Friday's downhill as well as the slalom and giant slalom.

Frenchman Grange, a slalom specialist, said he considered his 37th finish in downhill had given him a chance.

"That is one of my best downhills since I started competing in combined and I knew that I wouldn't be far off. I felt I could do something and so I really let it all go in the slalom," he said.

Bank's previous best World Cup result was sixth in the same event last season.

"I didn't do anything especially different from last year -- I just like the hill and the snow here and enjoy competing on this course," said the Czech.

Although the U.S had three top-ten finishes, Miller, eighth-placed Tid Ligety who is Olympic champion in combined, and Thomas Lannin, the hosts were disappointed not to take a podium spot.

Steve Nyman was second after the downhill but skied out in the slalom.

Rainer Schoenfelder was the only top-10 finisher for Austria with Benjamin Raich down in 37th.