Craig Branch has made his 2008/09 season debut, finishing in 37th place in super G in the Italian resort of Val Gardena.

Resuming competition after a niggling lower back complaint, Branch completed the 2.36km Saslong course in a time of one minute 36.96 seconds, 1.92 seconds slower than race winner Werner Heel of Italy.

The silver medal went to Swiss skier Didier Defago, who finished 0.43 seconds off the pace, while Sweden’s Patrick Jaerbyn was a further 0.02 adrift for the bronze.

The following day, the 31-year-old Perisher Blue skier finished in equal 47th place in the Val Gardena downhill.