The 2011 world silver medallist raced to victory in 1:15.68 in front of a sell-out crowd at the United States resort in the postponed event, which had been rescheduled from yesterday due to heavy snowfall and high winds.

"It sounds really good to be called a world champion," Reichelt said.

"I felt a lot of pressure, not from the outside, but I put a lot of pressure on myself because I wanted to repeat what I did in December at the World Cup, so now I am happy to be able to relax a bit."

Behind Reichelt was relatively unknown Canadian Dustin Cook, who finished in second place just 0.11 slower.

His highest previous World Cup finish was 12th place.

"I'm a lot less surprised than most people, I've had fast splits all year and I love this hill," he said.

"I ski here all the time, it's basically home.

"I really wanted to put one down and it worked out."

Gold medallist Hannes Reichelt, with silver medallist Dustin Cook and bronze medallist Adrien Théaux ©Getty Images


Completing the podium in third place was Adrien Théaux who finished 0.24 behind Reichelt for the bronze medal.

Favourites Ted Ligety, the United States' Olympic and World Championships gold medallist, and Norway's Sochi 2014 champion Kjetil Jansrud suffered rough runs and finished in ninth and fourth place respectively.

Before today's race, tribute was paid to Ronnie Berlack and Bryce Astle, two American development programme skiers, who were killed in an avalanche in the Austrian Alps last month.

For the final forerunner, the clock was started with no skier making his way down the course as the audience honoured the athletes with complete silence during the "Ghost Forerunner" run.

The action in Vail and Beaver Creek continues tomorrow with the ladies' downhill, where home star Lindsey Vonn takes part as a clear favourite.

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