Tears as Kostner buries her fears
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Kostner claims her first success in more than two years
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HAUS IM ENNSTAL, Austria, (Reuters) -- Italian Isolde Kostner wept tears of joy on Saturday after winning her first World Cup race since a crash shattered her confidence 14 months ago.
The former super-G world champion had not triumphed since November 2001 but showed she was returning to form with second place in Friday's first downhill in Austria.
Kostner's winning time of one minute 39.31 seconds down the Krummholz course on Saturday was 0.35 seconds faster than runner-up Renate Goetschl of Austria.
Switzerland's Fraenzi Aufdenblatten celebrated the first podium place of her career with third, 0.59 seconds behind Kostner.
German teenager Maria Riesch, who upset the favorites to record her maiden win in Friday's downhill, crashed out on the top section on Saturday but did not appear to be hurt.
The 28-year-old Kostner, who suffered concussion in the accident at Lake Louise, Canada, in November 2002, was delighted with her win -- the 15th of a career stretching back a decade.
"This is a big relief," she said. "It was just so hard to come back. I am just overjoyed."
Friday's second place had helped her to regain her self-confidence, Kostner said. "I was much more relaxed at the start today and that was certainly the key."
Goetschl, who took the overall cup lead with her second place, was equally delighted for Kostner.
"It is sensational," she said. "I am pleased she is back. She has had a difficult time and it has been a long route back."
