Val Gardena, Italy. Last season's Saslong downhill champion, Michael Walchhofer was fastest in Wednesday's first training on a course that racers said was in good condition, albeit a bit slow. The reigning World Cup downhill champion posted the fastest time of the day, 2:00.55.

"The Saslong was in excellent condition," said Walchhofer, who also won last weekend's super-G in Val d'Isère. "You couldn't ask for better snow conditions. The Camel Humps didn't cause any problems."

Walchhofer has traditionally skied very well on the Italian piste. In addition to his two victories, the powerful Austrian has also finished second four times since 2001.

Come Saturday's downhill, Merano, Italy's Werner Heel will be one of the crowd favorites. The Italian was victorious in last year's super-G and finished seventh in the opening training run, 0.83 seconds behind Walchhofer.

"It was very positive and I'm happy with my performance today," said Heel after his run. "We have nice jumps and a nice course. I hope tomorrow is a little bit faster and the snow is not so aggressive."

Defending overall World Cup champion, Aksel Lund Svindal was closest to Walchhofer's time crossing the finish 0.28 seconds off the pace.

"The piste was very nice, but also very easy to ski," said Svindal. "That was due mainly to the fantastic snow conditions."

Sweden's Hans Olsson was third Wednesday 0.55 behind Walchhofer.

World Cup downhill leader, Didier Cuche of Switzerland skied despite having suffered a broken rib during training in Val d'Isère last week. Cuche skipped Sunday's GS in France and underwent an MRI exam on Monday. It was confirmed that the Swiss skier broke his fifth rib on the left side. The veteran racer appeared to be alright, managing to finish sixth on the day.

Bode Miller also took part in the opening training run despite a recent ankle sprain suffered while playing volleyball with the U.S. team this past Saturday in Val d'Isère. The American racer finished the downhill training in 20th place.

Downhill training resumes tomorrow on the 839-meter Saslong course at 12:15 local time/CET.

By Brian Pinelli
FISalpine.com
Wednesday 16 December 2009

Vonn sets the tone in Val d'Isere

The winner of first two downhill of the season and overall World Cup champion, Lindsey Vonn already set the tone this morning in the first training run for the ladies' Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in Val d'Isère (FRA). The blonde American set the fastest time on the Oreiller-Killy course, despite falling before the finish line. The rocket from the U.S. was 0.27 seconds ahead of Austrian Elisabeth Goergl, and 0.37 ahead of American Julia Mancuso. Vonn won 2009 FIS World Championship gold in the downhill and super-G in Val d'Isère but then the races were held on the Rhônes-Alpes course on the Solaise Mountain. This time around the ladies are racing on the La Daille course.

Maria Riesch of Germany who posted the 13th fastest time of today's training, captured the overall lead from Vonn last week in Are, Sweden. Before heading into the races in Val d' Isère, Riesch has 441 points and Vonn 421.

Unfortunately, the 21-year-old Canadian Larisa Yurkiw crashed during training and had to be evacuated on a stretcher suspected of having picked up a serious knee injury.

With another training run Thursday, the FIS Audi World Cup continues Friday with a super-combined scheduled for Friday ahead of Saturday's downhill. A super-G will be held on Sunday.

FISalpine.com
Wednesday 16 December 2009