Kroell, winner of two downhills this season, finished top of the standings by just seven points after Swiss Beat Feuz finished second in Wednesday's race.

"This is definitely the biggest achievement of my career," Kroell said. "It's fantastic to get this result here with so many fans supporting me.

"It was a tough day-to-day battle and even if I was hoping to do better today, I never lost faith."

Veteran Didier Cuche, who was second going into the race, trailed home in 17th after blowing his chance with a big mistake on the lower section.

"I first thought I had blown it all," Kroell added. "I had the sixth time at that moment and that would not have been enough if Cuche had got a good result."

Deserved

For Cuche, a four-time downhill champion, it was a disappointing way to end his career in the speed event.

"I didn't start well and after that, it was hard to get going," said the Swiss. "Congratulations to Klaus, he is a deserved winner."

Svindal won in one minute 46.81 seconds for his only downhill victory of the season and positioned himself as a late contender for the overall title.

The Norwegian is third in the standings but Feuz, who finished 0.57 seconds adrift, remains favourite for the title as victory in Thursday's Super-G would be enough to secure it.

With three races left at the finals this week, the 24-year-old Swiss speed specialist leads Austria's Marcel Hirscher by 135 points and Svindal by 199.

"Everybody keeps asking me about the overall, and I just try to get it out of my head and focus on my racing," Feuz said.