European Report: Grugger fastest in Thursday's training run for Kvitfjell downhill

European Report: Grugger fastest in Thursday’s training run for Kvitfjell downhill{mosimage}Austrian Johann Grugger was fastest in Thursday’s second of three training runs for the men’s World Cup downhill Saturday in Kvitfjell, Norway.

Strobl skied the Kvitfjell run, used during the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics, in 1:46.36. Daron Rahlves, who won back-to-back downhills on this hill in 2000, was the top American in 10th at 1:47.01. Bryon Friedman was right behind in 11th, while Jakub Fiala and Bode Miller finished off the pace in 42nd and 44th, respectively.

Times were close with the top 17 finishing in the same second. Three skiers — Stephan Eberharter, Didier Defago and Fritz Strobl — tied for third with 1:46.51. Austria’s Strobl had the fastest time in Wednesday’s first training run.

Kvitfjell, Norway

Downhill Training Run 2

March 4, 2004

1. Johann Grugger (Austria) 1:46.36

2. Bruno Kernen (Switzerland) 1:46.49

3= Stephan Eberharter (Austria) 1:46.51

3= Dider Defago (Switzerland) 1:46.51

3= Fritz Strobl (Austria) 1:46.51

6. Antoine Deneriaz (Fracnce) 1:46.63

7. Bjarne Solbakken (Norway) 1:46.65

8. Didier Cuche (Switzerland) 1:46.81

9. Yannick Bertrand (France) 1:46.96

10. Daron Rahlves (U.S.) 1:47.01

Also:

11. Bryon Friedman (U.S.) 1:47.04

19. Vincent Lavoie (Canada) 1:47.44

42. Jakob Fiala (U.S.) 1:49.22

44. Bode Miller (U.S.) 1:49.37

50. Hermann Maier (Austria) 1:51.99

>> Eberharter back with speed

Stephan Eberharter isn’t about to miss this weekend’s speed events in Kvitfjell.

The two-time World Cup champion skipped last weekend’s giant slalom with a back injury, but the 34-year-old was back for the downhill-super G weekend in Norway. He started things off with the third-fastest time in Wednesday’s first training run, and was third again on Thursday.

Eberharter didn’t want to risk aggravating back pain he felt in pre-race training at Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, and skipped that entire weekend to be ready for Saturday’s downhill and Sunday’s super G.

“The therapy worked rapidly, I no longer need any more painkillers,” Eberharter told the Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung. “After a lot of massage the muscles have loosened up. But the danger in that [massage] is the risk of a vertebra jumping out. If it happens, it would be the end for me.”

Eberharter lies 123 points behind leader Bode Miller and said the high-speed Kvitfjell course suits his style of skiing. In the fight for the downhill title, his stated primary goal for the season, Eberharter holds a comfortable margin of 163 points over Hermann Maier.

“I still think the competition remains exciting up to the conclusion,” said Eberharter, a winner at Kvitfjell in 2001. “I’m really looking to Norway. It’s a super downhill, it’s got everything a downhill skier would want.”

>> Swiss bids to be narrowed

Zurich and Davos are competing to be Switzerland’s featured bidder for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Both cities submitted preliminary plans to the Swiss Olympic Association, which will review the applications.

Zurich’s application foresees the use of mountain resorts in the neighboring cantons of Graubünden, Schwyz, St. Gallen and Zug. Davos plans to team up with the ski resorts of Flims/Laax, Lenzerheide, Klosters and Chur.

Last year, Bern was forced to withdraw its bid to host the 2010 Winter Olympics after the public failed to approve a credit of 22.5 million Swiss francs (about $17.3 million).

>> British hopefuls to miss finals

Top British skiers Alain Baxter and Chemmy Alcott won’t be competing in the World Cup Finals next week, a blow to British fans keen to see their skiers improve.

Baxter needed a top six finish in the slalom in Kranskja Gora in Slovenia to make the season finale in Sestriere, Italy, but wound up 25th. Alcott has moved her way up the rankings but failed to make the top 25 in any of the disciplines.

Britain might see Lesley McKenna at the snowboarding World Cup Finals in Bardonecchia if she recovers in time from her broken jaw.