After three downhills and two super giant slaloms were canceled because of weather, 1994 Olympic downhill champion and super-G silver medalist Tommy Moe couldn't wait to get back into competition.
He made the most of it.Moe took second behind another Olympic downhill gold medalist, Patrick Ortlieb of Austria, in the opening super-G of the season Saturday.
"I was a little nervous. It's a big relief for me. I am tired of training," the 24-year-old Moe said.
Ortlieb was timed in 1 minute, 22.25 seconds on a course that was 8,603 feet long and dropped 2,050 feet.
Moe took second in 1:22.58, with Frenchman Luc Alphand third in 1:22.65.
Moe will find out this season what Ortlieb found out the season after he won the 1992 Olympic title: everyone will be aiming for him.
"As Patrick would know after winning the Olympics, it changes your life. Everyone knows who you are," Moe said. "There's definitely a little bit of pressure, but I think I am very good at handling pressure."
"The following year was hard. Everyone was trying to beat you," Ortlieb said. "Tommy began the season well. Let's see how the season finishes."
Moe's second and Kyle Rasmussen's ninth in 1:22.89 continued the United States' success on the slopes. Americans Picabo Street and Hilary Lindh won consecutive women's downhills in Lake Louise, Canada, the past two days.
"We watch the races on television over here and see Hilary win and the night before it was Picabo," Moe said. "It's definitely an inspiration."
Ortlieb was the surprise winner of the Olympic downhill in nearby Val d'Isere two years ago, but was fourth behind Moe this year in Lillehammer. Both head back to Val d'Isere for two downhills on Friday and Saturday.
"The atmosphere is different every race," Ortlieb said. "Of course Val d'Isere is special, but the course is not the same course as the Olympics. I have never finished in the top three there and it will be a different challenge for me."
Fog and high winds forced the cancellation of the race on Saturday. It was rescheduled for Sunday, pushing off a giant slalom that was rescheduled for Val d'Isere on Dec. 18 following two downhills on Dec. 16-17.
Alberto Tomba retained the lead in the overall World Cup standings with 150 points. He did not race the super-G.
Kjetil-Andre Aamodt, last year's overall World Cup champion, moved into third with 104 points after a 23rd place. He has scored in all three races so far this season. Michael Von Gruenigen of Switzerland is second with 125 points.