Craig Branch has tackled one of the longest and toughest challenges in downhill skiing, the Lauberhorn course in Wengen, Switzerland.

Branch finished in 41st place, posting a time of two minutes 31.57 seconds for the 5.4km course, 4.52 seconds behind the winning time of Michael Walchhofer of Austria.

Branch failed to finish the first time he raced on what is one of the most famous courses on the circuit, in January 2003. He placed 46th a day later in his second attempt.

Walchhofer's team-mate Christoph Gruber took the silver medal, with World Cup overall leader Bode Miller claiming bronze.

Walchhofer leads the World Cup downhill standings on 421 points from Miller on 378