Skiing: Maier adds world gold to his haul

THIS TIME last year, Austria's Hermann Maier had acquired an all- conquering reputation but had still not won a major title. On Tuesday he was a winner at the World Championships in Vail, Colorado, adding the super-giant slalom gold to a tally that now includes every major title Alpine skiing has to offer.

When asked why he looked so relaxed after his first world title, Maier said with a broad grin: "Because I had great sex with my girlfriend last night."

No other skier has ever managed to claim world, Olympic and overall World Cup titles in 12 months. Maier is aware of the enormity of his feat, but the 26-year-old, in only his third full World Cup season, is wondering what there was left for him to accomplish in the sport. "I have achieved everything now," he said. "There is nothing big for me to win any more."

Maier in fact shared the title with Norway's Lasse Kjus, becoming become the first joint gold medallists in the history of Alpine skiing. Austria's Hans Knauss took the bronze.