Marco Buechel of Liechtenstein celebrates in the finish area after winning a World Cup downhill race, in Val Gardena, Italy (AP Photo)

Skier Marco Buechel of Liechtenstein has won his first World Cup downhill title on a snow-shortened course in Val Gardena, Italy.

Buechel finished the race in one minute, 27.99 seconds, just 0.02 ahead of Austrian Michael Walchhofer (1:28.01). Erik Guay of Canada finished third, 0.20  behind Buechel (1:28.19).

It was Buechel's second World Cup win ever - he also won a super-giant slalom in Germany two years ago.

American Olympic hopeful Bode Miller of the United States finished eighth and recaptured the overall standings lead. Miller now has 442 points with Walchhofer second (420 points) and Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal third (417).

Snow and strong winds delayed the start of the race by more than one hour. The course was also shortened by more than one kilometer and several jumps were removed.