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Downhill Moves Earlier to Friday
December 3, 1998

	Andreas Schifferer (AUT)

The crowd cheered as the first skier came down this Whistler downhill course (as much of a crowd that gathers in North America... for a training run). It was the first practice to happen in two years here, and let's hope the weather cooperates so we can say the same for the downhill tomorrow.

It's no surprise to find five Austrians punching the best times. Fritz Strobl led the bunch with a time of 1.58.94, separating himself from the pack by 1.29. He was followed by Hannes Trinkl, Hermann Maier, Christian Greber and Stefan Eberharter.

"I think we can manage after a while now to mix in with the Austrians...." — Kjetil Andre Aamodt, Norwegian Ski Racer

The downhill race has been moved up a day to Friday at 11:30am to take advantage of what is hoped will be a window of good weather before forecasted fog and snow move in later Friday. This is the first time a men's World Cup downhill race has been moved ahead, but according to FIS Chief Race Director Günter Hujara, "this unusual situation needs unusual solutions."

Defending downhill champion Andreas Schifferer, who had the 29th fastest time at 2:02.62, is taking it a little easy. Schifferer has been back on his skis for just a month-and-a-half after resting this summer due to an ankle injury. But he's feeling pretty good now and we asked him how it feels to be a member of such a powerhouse Austrian team.

"It's quite difficult because everyone is so strong and in good condition," said Schifferer, "so you really have to give your best and when you're a little bit injured you fall back quite far and it's very hard to come back...you need days on the skis to feel really confident."

Though he would have liked more time on the snow, Schifferer will roll with the decision for an earlier race.

"Of course it would be better for me not losing a training day because every minute is important for me. But like many things in life you need to take them as they come and make the best of it," he said.

Everybody will be watching Maier tomorrow, and he is hungry for a win since his first place in the giant slalom in Sölden. Since then, he dnf's (did not finish) in the giant slalom in Park City and settled for 2nd in Aspen's super-G.

"It's a little bit earlier," said Maier. "I was more concentrating on Saturday than Friday, but it's a nice downhill and I hope I am fast... I made the inspection and now this was my first practice run. I hope it gets more icy, that's better for me."

	Kristian Ghedina (ITA) talks to his men

Italian Kristian Ghedina, who won the last downhill here in 1995, had the 6th fastest time at 2:00.89. We tried to talk with him, but he does not speak English well and this writer does not speak Italian. Spaghetti? Pecorino? Campari? Aside from the language barrier, Ghedina is a contender.

American Chad Fleischer has never before skied a downhill in Whistler, but he checked out the course today, didn't push it and found some decent snow despite slow conditions.

"You can tuck every turn that you normally couldn't on this course... there's some really good snow on the pitches but on the flats it's sticky," Fleischer said.

Is the training run a good indication of the final? Not always. The racers aren't going for the fastest times, they are simply feeling out the course and getting an idea for how it goes, as Aamodt pointed out.

"I went through it yesterday very quickly," said Aamodt. "If I take too much time inspecting the course then I use too much energy and I've got to save energy."

Aamodt has skied here in Whistler before and he is familiar with its weather patterns.

"It's very good in March to be here," he said. "But now in December, it seems like it's snowing all the time. Maybe we should have the races in March, then it's always great."

	Kjetil Andre Aamodt

The Norwegians are without Lasse Kjus this weekend, probably their best speed skier. But if you're a four event skier such as Kjus, and you need a break, chances are you might not lose out if the weather's bad in Whistler. However, the show might go on, as organizers hoped when they moved the downhill up a day.

Yesterday, when we asked Austrian team coach Werner Margreiter which teams to keep and eye on, the first one he said was the Norwegians.

"Yeah, he has to find somebody you know," joked Aamodt. "He's only with his racers all the time. But I think we can manage after a while now to mix in with the Austrians."

—Michelle Quigley, Mountain Zone Staff