The Swiss Ambrosi Hoffmann and Ralf Kreuzer took 1-2 in the first training run for the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup downhill at Beaver Creek.

The training was delayed several times due to heavy snowfall. Finally, the start was moved well down the hill to the GS start, giving the racers a 49 second run, approximately half of the Birds of Prey course.

Eventually the snowfall subsided and the sun came out although it remained cold.

Top finishers came from well down the finish order. Hoffmann started 20th, but Kreuzer started 54th, third finisher Yannick Bertrand of France started 43rd,, fourth finisher Mario Scheiber of Austria wore bib 39 and fifth place Rok Perko of Slovenia wore 54.

As meaningless as the results should pan out, it was still a good day for the Swiss. Didier Cuche, the winner of the only previous downhill this season last weekend in Lake Louise, said he had tried to help out the younger Swiss guys during inspection. "I try to tell the young Swiss guys who have never skied here about the timing... and how quick to react in the turn... and maybe that is some good words for them because they are kind of unsure of what they do and when they do that."

FISalpine.com and SkiRacing.com
Thursday 3 December 2009