FRANCE’S Antoine Deneriaz caused a sensation yesterday by storming to the Olympic Games men’s downhill gold medal ahead of the Austrian and American favourites in alpine skiing’s blue-riband event.

Antoine Deneriaz claimed he never lost the belief that he would be crowned Olympic champion after recovering from a torn knee ligament to blaze to men’s downhill glory in Sestriere.

Stephan Eberharter regained the World Cup overall lead after victory in the men's downhill at Stelvio in Italy.