Downhill title contender Dominik Paris crashes in training run

ST MORITZ, Switzerland – The Italian coaches have had something to be excited about heading into World Cup Finals in St. Moritz. Their athletes, Peter Fill and Dominik Paris, are battling at the top of the downhill standings coming into the last race of the season, making it likely one of them could end up with the season title.

In Tuesday’s training run, Peter Fill, who is currently tied with standings leader Aksel Lund Svindal (who is injured and will not race the final) with 436 points, made it down safely. However, his teammate took a hard fall early in the course, heading full force into a gate.

Paris stood up from the crash in obvious pain, put on his skis and slid down to coaches and officials. When he met them on the side of the course, he sat down and lifted his left leg indicating that it was bothering him. He was able to ski down to the finish but later limped through the finish area holding an ice pack to his left thigh as he smiled through gritted teeth.

“It is not the best situation for him, but I don’t know what happened with him today,” Fill said. “I didn’t see the crash. I see only him stand up after and I think it was OK. We’ll see.”

A press release from the Italian Ski Federation stated that Paris would be evaluated Tuesday afternoon by the team physiotherapist and doctor. Early reports are that he may have suffered a bone bruise or other knee injury. Whether or not he will race tomorrow’s final World Cup downhill is to be determined.

Fill and Paris could both overtake Svindal’s lead on Wednesday assuming they both finish the final race, but the Norwegian would win the title with more victories than Fill in the event that tomorrow’s race is canceled. Race officials are concerned that a weather system may affect visibility Wednesday morning.

Men’s downhill action begins at 10 a.m. CET.