Cuche First, Ligety Second at Sölden Men's GS

Didier Cuche of Switzerland and U.S. racer Ted Ligety each took a step up the podium after the Sölden, Austria, World Cup Giant Slalom. Cuche claimed first place with a combined time of 2:21.45 followed in second place by Ligety who was .40 seconds behind in total time.

Cuche and Ligety were second and third respectively in last year's Sölden GS. This year, Carlo Janka of Switzerland filled the third spot on the Sölden Audi Alpine FIS Ski World Cup podium.

This marks Ted Ligety's third consecutive medal win at Sölden, having finished third in 2009 and second in 2008 and, as I said earlier, you can look for him on more podiums this year and I'm saying he'll be taking another step up the podium ladder in some upcoming venues.

You might take note and keep an eye on two Canadian racers - Jean-Philippe Roy and Robbie Dixon. Roy, still rather new at the World Cup level finished 9th wearing Bib #24 and Dixon,  hot off a few really good South American GS finishes and also getting his WC legs, was 16th with Bib #36. In fact, Dixon clocked the second fastest time on Run 2 - beating Didier Cuche's second run by 1 one-hundredth of a second!

Complete results of the Audi Alpine FIS Ski World Cup Men's Giant Slalom at Sölden, Austria.

Next on the Audi Alpine FIS Ski World Cup racing schedule finds both the Men and Women at Levi, Finland,  November 14-15 for slalom racing. Check the 2010 season Men's calendar and the Women's calendar for future venues.

_{Sölden Men's GS podium copyright Getty Images}