Martin Cater recorded a shock downhill win in Val-d'Isère ©Getty Images

Slovenia's Martin Cater clinched a shock victory as he defied all pre-race predictions by winning the first International Ski Federation Alpine Ski World Cup downhill of the season in Val-d'Isère.

After Otmar Striedinger had gone into first place, the television networks ended their coverage of the event and a victory ceremony involving the Austrian had already been held.

But Cater, starting from bib 41, had other ideas as he produced a superb run to leapfrog Striedinger and claim a huge upset win, the first World Cup podium of his career.

The 27-year-old finished in 2min 04.67sec to deny the Austrian, who completed the course 0.22sec slower, his maiden World Cup triumph.

Striedinger's compatriot Urs Kryenbühl was third, 0.27 adrift of the victorious Slovenian.

The 27-year-old Slovenian upset the rest of the field with a blistering run ©Getty Images
The 27-year-old Slovenian upset the rest of the field with a blistering run ©Getty Images

The manner of Cater's victory had shades of Ester Ledecká's performance at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeonchang, where the Czech snowboarder sealed a stunning women's super-G gold medal.

"I knew it was a good run but I didn't believe it was that good," said Cater.

"I was hoping for top 10, top 15, just hoping not 36th or 37th or 50th because it's difficult sometimes. 

"You think you're fast but you're not."

The men's Alpine Ski World Cup season is set to continue with super-G and downhill races in Val Gardena in Italy from Wednesday (December 16) to Saturday (December 19).