Val d'Isere, France - John Kucera of Canada upset the favourites to win the men's downhill at the alpine ski world championships in Val d'Isere on Saturday.

Kucera posted 2 minutes 07.01 seconds, to edge super-g winner Didier Cuche of Switzerland by four hundredths of a second.

Fellow Swiss Carlo Janka was 0.94 seconds back in third place.

Kucera took advantage of an early start in a fog-interrupted race to give Canada a first-ever world championship downhill gold.

Val d'Isere, France - John Kucera of Canada upset the favourites Saturday to win the men's downhill at the alpine ski world championships in Val d'Isere.

Kucera posted 2 minutes 07.01 seconds, to edge super-g winner Didier Cuche of Switzerland by four hundredths of a second.

Fellow Swiss Carlo Janka was 0.94 seconds back in third place.

Kucera took advantage of an early start in a fog-interrupted race to give Canada a first-ever world championship downhill gold.

The 24-year-old from Calgary had already shown good form at the championships with a sixth place in the super-g on Thursday.

Val d'Isere, France/Stockholm - Swedish ski star Anja Paerson Friday said she would continue to race at the ongoing alpine skiing world championships in France despite a second failed event.

Paerson, who appeared to suffer from pain in a knee, declined to offer details about her physical condition when interviewed by Swedish radio.

"I'll keep on racing," she said. "So far it is still possible to ski."

Paris  - French President Nicolas Sarkozy late Thursday came to the defence of Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who has been accused of conflict of interest.

"Bernard Kouchner has my total trust," Sarkozy said during an appearance on national television to discuss the economic crisis.

A book published Wednesday accused Kouchner of using his position as head of a public health organization to carry out high-paying consulting activities in Africa for private companies.

Paris  - French President Nicolas Sarkozy demanded late Thursday that the European Union adopt a common position to reform the capitalist system.

During a 90-minute appearance on national television to discuss the economic crisis, Sarkozy also criticized the European Union for passivity in the face of the crisis.

"It is not possible that, in such a situation, Europe does not take the initiative," Sarkozy said, indirectly criticizing the Czech presidency and the European Commission.