Bormio, Italy  - Christof Innerhofer of Italy claimed a first alpine ski World Cup victory when he clinched the men's downhill before home fans in Bormio on Sunday.

Innerhofer, who was the first starter, set the pace in 2 minutes 03.55 seconds and watched as all the favourites failed to match his time on a bumpy and icy Stelvio course.

"It's a dream result for me," he said. "I saw my time and knew it was a good one."

Austrians Klaus Kroell and Michael Walchhofer were second and third, with Kroll 0.32 seconds behind and current downhill leader Walchhofer 0.95 seconds back.

Innerhofer, 24, who had never been on the World Cup podium before, was only sure of victory after defending overall champion Bode Miller completed his run as 44th starter.

Miller was relegated down the start field after he missed Saturday's compulsory public bib draw for the race.

It was thought the American had speculated that the light would improve on the shady and icy lower part of the course in the later stages of the race.

However Miller, who won the downhill in Bormio last year and took gold in both downhill and super-G at the venue at the 2005 world championships, had to be content with fourth place, 1.15 seconds behind Innerhofer.

Overall leader Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway finished 17th place to take his points tally to 444. Benjamin Raich of Austria remains second on 393 and Didier Cuche of Switzerland, who finished fifth, is on 379. dpa