BREAKING: Austria’s Franz Wins Lake Louise Downhill

Austrian speed skier Max Franz was victorious in the inaugural 2018-19 men’s World Cup downhill in Lake Louise, Canada, on Saturday. Franz took to the course with bib one and held on to the leader’s position throughout the entirety of the race.

Italy’s Christof Innerhofer ran just behind Franz with bib two and also managed to hold on to second place overall, 0.28 seconds back. Fellow Italian, two-time Hahnenkamm downhill champion, Dominik Paris, rounded out the podium in third, 0.54 seconds off of the pace of Franz.

The American Downhillers were led by veteran Steven Nyman in his first race back from injury in 11th place, 1.21 seconds back. Nyman was followed closely by Bryce Bennet in 12th place, 1.24 seconds behind Franz. Ryan Cochran-Siegle went from bib 54 to finish 20th, 1.61 seconds off the pace.

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Top 10

1. Max Franz (AUT) 1:46.18
2. Christof Innerhofer (ITA) +0.28
3. Dominik Paris (ITA) +0.54
4. Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT) +0.57
5. Johan Clarey (FRA) +0.64
6. Beat Feuz (SUI) +0.67
7. Thomas Dressen (GER) +0.78
8. Aksel Lund Svindal (NOR) +0.80
8. Matthias Mayer (AUT) +0.80
10. Johannes Kroell (AUT) +1.04