LILLEHAMMER (Norway), March 13: Carole Montillet clinched the World Cup super-G title on Thursday despite finishing only 10th in the season’s final race.

The French Olympic downhill champion finished nearly two seconds behind winner Karen Putzer of Italy, but her only challenger for the title, Austrian Renate Goetschl, could do no better than fourth which was insufficient to close the gap.

Putzer’s winning time was one minute 21.77 seconds.

Alexandra Meissnitzer of Austria and Martina Ertl of Germany were equal second with 1:22.35 with Goetschl fourth in 1:22.56.

The 29-year-old has enjoyed her best year to date on the World Cup circuit, consistently challenging for the top places in the speed events.

Her super-G title, courtesy of wins in Val d’Isere and Cortina and podiums in Lake Louise and Innsbruck, makes up for a disappointing world championships.

Croatia’s Janica Kostelic is the overall and slalom World Cup champion while Michaela Dorfmeister of Austria landed the downhill title on Wednesday.

The one remaining women’s title still up for grabs is the giant slalom which is between leader Anja Paerson of Sweden and Putzer who must overturn a daunting 56-point gap in Sunday’s race.—Reuters