GAP 2011. Compared to the 1st training, the final downhill practice run took place on a much softer snow surface. An overcast night sky and warmer temperatures were responsible for softening up the race track to an extent that made some racers doubt the training could even take place without damaging the slope too much for Saturday’s downhill race. Most athletes seemed to be happy about the changed snow conditions and improved visibility on Friday.

Bode Miller of the United States of America skis in the Men's Downhill Training during the Alpine FIS Ski World Championships on the Kandahar course on February 11, 2011 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. (February 10, 2011 - Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe)

In the final training for Saturday's World Championship downhill race, France’s Adrien Theaux put down the fastest time. The top favorite Didier Cuche of Switzerland followed seven hundredths of a second behind and the Norwegian Aksel Lund Svindal came in third, .10 seconds off the winning-pace.

Theaux gunned down the course carrying bib No. 4 and passed the finish line with a time of 2:01:31. “I felt good today and was better able to control my skis than in the first training. It also helped that the visibility was better,” said Theaux.

After Carlo Janka’s announcement to skip the downhill and concentrate on the giant slalom instead, all expectations rest on Cuche. He placed fourth in the first training on Thursday and second on Friday, only .07 seconds behind the winning-time. More importantly the Swiss had a controlled, clean run over long stretches of the course. “Today was much better although I almost crashed at the Kramersprung despite Silvan warning me about it. I am glad I made it to the finish,” a relieved Cuche said. The second best Swiss, Beat Feuz got eighth and Silvan Zurbriggen ninth.

Behind the fourth-placed Canadian Erik Guay, Austria’s Michael Walchhofer took fifth. “I analyzed my run after the first training and knew what to do better. I had more fun today pacing down the course on softer snow and with better visibility. On Thursday, I was merely a passenger and skied passively,” Walchhofer said. His teammate Romed Baumann was in 11th place, while Klaus Kroell finished 14th.

The super G world champion Christof Innerhofer, who dominated the training on Thursday, finished 30th, nearly 3 seconds behind Theaux. "I am not under pressure and relaxed about tomorrow’s race. I already got a gold medal. I don’t consider myself a favorite any longer as these are no longer my conditions. I prefer icy slopes,” said the Italian. “I consider Cuche as one of the favorites. He can ski fast on soft and hard snow.”

FISalpine.com
Friday 11 February 2011