The Sidelines : Eberharter Wins Men’s Super-G

Stefan Eberharter of Austria, competing in his first major race, sped down an icy course to win the men’s super-giant slalom by 1.5 seconds today at the World Championships of alpine skiing.

Eberharter, 21, completed the 43-gate course in 1 minute, 26.73 seconds to easily defeat Norway’s Kjetil Andre Aamodt. Aamodt finished in 1:28.27, while Frenchman Franck Piccard--the reigning Olympic champion in the Super-G--was third in 1:28.55.

Eberharter made his debut on the World Cup circuit last year and was skiing in his first Olympic or World Championship race.

Aamodt said the young Austrian must have skied a nearly perfect race to defeat the field so easily.

“It’s really a big margin to win the world championship with,” he said. “He must have taken risks and gotten away with all of them.”