The world's top downhill racers had their first crack on the long and tiresome Lauberhorn course in Wengen, Switzerland on Tuesday. Under bright, sunny skies, eighty of 86 racers made it down the 4465-meter piste, the longest on tour.

Switzerland's Didier Cuche clocked the fastest time of the day at 2.33.51. The Swiss veteran has finished second at the Lauberhorn twice, in 2007 and 2008, but has never won.

Italy's Werner Heel returned to action for the first time since a crash at Val Gardena in December and was second fastest, .09 seconds behind Cuche. Cuche's teammate Carlo Janka and Austria's Georg Stretiberger tied for third, .28 back.

"I had a good feeling today," said Heel. "It's my first downhill after the crash. I had some long holidays at home. I'm happy to be back in Wengen. It's my favorite course. It was easy today. I hope on raceday it will be a little harder and I will be a little faster."

American Marco Sullivan was the first racer out of the starting gate at just past 12:30pm local time.

"It was a lot of fun being able to go first and set my own track," said Sullivan. "The course is in really good shape. There's more snow than we've seen here in a couple of years and they've added a couple new terrain changes. Overall it's classic Wengen."

Sullivan, third here last year, was 13th on Tuesday. At last year's race the Lake Tahoe, California native finished .39 seconds behind the winner, Didier Defago. Fellow American Bode Miler was second, .20 back.

"There are parts of this course that you look forward to skiing every year that are really fun," said the 30-year-old, Sullivan. "Going over the Hundschopt through the rocks, Canadian Corner and Kernen-S. That whole section is really technical. You don't see 90-degree turns on the World Cup anymore."

Defending champion, Defago posted the sixth fastest time on Tuesday, .35 behind his teammate Cuche.

Veteran Marco Buechel of Liechtenstein, whose best finish at the Lauberhorn was fifth in 2007, was 8th fastest Tuesday.

"Its almost perfect - the only thing I have to say is that I didn't like how they prepared the Hundschopt - it was better last year," said Buechel after his run. "Everything else is really good. Sometimes smooth, sometimes bumpy and icy. Trust me on Saturday it is going to a be a difficult task."

Michael Walchhofer failed to finish his run. He had some boot issues and fell about halfway down the course, sliding into the safety netting. Walchhofer, who won the Lauberhorn in 2005 was uninjured.

Miller, who has twice won the renowned race, in 2007 & 2008, was 12th Tuesday,

Downhill training on the Lauberhorn resumes on Thursday after a rest day Wednesday.

by Brian Pinelli
FISalpine.com
Tuesday 12 January 2010