Raich ready to repeat Turin gold rush

Current World Cup leader Benjamin Raich of Austria feels ready to replicate the form at the Vancouver Olympics that saw him bag two gold medals in Turin four years ago.

"I hope to replicate my performances of four years ago," the reigning Olympic slalom and giant slalom champion told AFP.

"You never know but I'm in good shape and am looking forward to good Olympics," he said ahead of the men's super-G run on Friday.

"The super-G is not my best discipline but I've got a good chance.

"The favourites for that race will be the same as for the downhill: Didier Defago and Didier Cuche are very strong, as are Michael Walchhofer and Aksel Lund Svindal, a lot of guys are very fast."

Raich, who will have real medal hopes in both slaloms and the super-combined, added: "I like this track. There are good snow conditions now.

"My possibilities are quite good. I had a lot of races in January, but I've had a good rest and am ready to go."