Calgary's John Kucera captured his first career World Cup event after winning the super-G Sunday in Lake Louise, Alta.

The 22-year-old Canadian skier won the season-opening event with a time of one minute, 29.70 seconds.

Calgary native John Kucera celebrates his first career super-G victory Sunday in Lake Louise, Alta.
(Chuck Stoody/Canadian Press)

Mario Scheiber of Austria finished 0.06 slower to earn the silver, while Sweden's Patrick Jaerbyn finished third in 1:29.98.

Kucera, the first skier out of the gate, looked balanced and smooth, storming down the hill with an aggressive line during the middle of the race.

After crossing the finish line with the time to beat, Kucera stood patiently and watched every subsequent skier fail to match his effort.

"I'm just beside myself," said an elated Kucera. "I don't think it has sunk in yet."

The Calgary native also handled the –11 C Alberta temperature with little problem, becoming the first Canadian male to win a World Cup race at the Lake Louise course.

The only other Canadian man to win on home soil was Rob Boyd, who captured a 1989 downhill in Whistler, B.C.

'I did it for him'

Kucera raced with a heavy heart as he dedicated the victory to his friend Jason Lapierre, who was killed this summer by a car while riding his bike.

"I did it for him," Kucera said. "I wish he was here."

Kurcera's best finish in World Cup competition prior to Sunday's surprising victory was a 12th-place showing during the Combined event in Wengen, Switzerland in 2005.

Erik Guay, of Mont-Tremblant, Que., finished sixth, while his brother Stefan Guay placed 24th.

François Bourque, of Pin Rouge, Que., completed the course a disappointing 34th.

The victory was Canada's second medal on the slopes on the weekend as Manuel Osborne-Paradis of Vancouver earned a silver in the downhill on Saturday.

With files from the Associated Press