Cuche takes opening training run at Kvitfjell

Didier Cuche claimed the first training run for Saturday’s (March 6) World Cup downhill at Kvitjfell, Norway.

Austrian Michael Walchhofer and Canadian Erik Guay finished in second and third respectively three and five tenths off the Swiss’ time.

Steven Nyman was the top U.S. finisher in 21st place and Travis Ganong was 27th. Scott Macartney was 43 with the top U.S. skiers in the field, Andrew Weibrecht and Marco Sullivan both failing to finish.

“That was part of our plan for the week,” said downhill coach Chris Brigham. “They’re a little banged up, so they came through the start (to get an official training run) and pulled off.”

Bode Miller is still in the ‘States, resting up and plans to catch up with the group at Garmisch.

Behind Guay (photo by GEPA) Canada had Jan Hudec in 29th, Manuel Osborne-Paradis in 39th, Ben Thomsen 47th and Louis-Pierre Helie 49th. Robbie Dixon failed to finish.

“The course is in fantastic condition,” said Brigham, “In better shape than we’ve seen in years, and the forecast for the rest of the week is decent. A little gusty today, like it always is.”

The coach said Ganong, the newly crowned National Downhill Champion making just his second European World Cup start, performed well. “He had some good sections,” the coach said.