Calgary's John Kucera finished third in Friday's super-G race in Val Gardena, Italy, his second podium finish this World Cup ski season.
Kucera conquered the Saslong course in one minute and 33.08 seconds. American Bode Miller was first in 1:32.35 and Austrian Christoph Gruber finished second in 1:32.99.
Canada's John Kucera finished third in Friday's super-G race in Italy.
(Alessandro Trovati/Associated Press)
Switzerland's Didier Cuche, the fastest skier in downhill training this week, placed fourth.
Kucera won the season-opening super-G race in Lake Louise, Alta., last month and retained the discipline leader's red bib with his third-place showing in Italy.
"That was important to me," said Kucera after Friday's race. "I didn't want to be seen as a one-race wonder.
"It was nice to get that second result in there and show I could do it, not only at Lake Louise but also in different venues. It just shows I'm skiing well and if I stay focused more good results will happen."
Prior to this season, Kucera's best finish was a 12th-place showing in a combined race last year.
"I know I worked really hard this summer in the gym and in our summer and fall training," said the 22-year-old. "To think I would have two podiums at the start of the season, I didn't expect that.
"I knew I was skiing strong and I could get some good results. I just tried to focus in on the small things, technique and stuff like that. I knew if I did that, some good results would come."
Canadians have now reached the podium five times this season: Kucera (twice), Michael Janyk finished second in a slalom race in Beaver Creek, Colo., and Manuel Osborne-Paradis of Vancouver placed second in a downhill event at Lake Louise.
Kelly VanderBeek of Kitchener, Ont., finished third in a women's super-G at Lake Louise.
Janyk of Whistler, B.C., also leads the slalom standings.
The Canadian ski team's goal was 12 podium finishes this year.
"We're building a really strong team right now," said Kucera. "We're all feeding off each other's energy and results.
"Right now we just need to become more consistent. We're moving in the right direction as a team."
Other Canadian results Friday: Francois Bourque of New Richmond, Que., was 11th in 1:33.46; Erik Guay of Mont-Tremblant, Que., 14th in 1:33.67; and Jan Hudec of Calgary was 15th in 1:33.76.
Competition continues on Saturday with a downhill race.
"It's going to be a good race," said Kucera. "I know I have to clean up a few things after training. I know if I can clean up a couple of those sections we have a good chance to get some more World Cup points."
With files from Canadian Press