BORMIO, No timed training run for the women on Wednesday.

Bormio, Italy, Feb.2nd. Because of strong gusts of wind in the upper part of the “Deborah Compagnoni course”, the race jury of the women's downhill race decided to lower the start and to replace the timed trial by a “free skiing training” which began at 12.15.

The competitors were mostly happy to get back on the piste after Tuesday's cancellation even if their run was not officially timed by Swatch. “It was really fun, at least there was some action today, it was interesting for us to see how the course is changing,” explained France's Olympic Champion Carole Montillet-Carle. “In fact, one could see that the snow is getting slicker and I think it will be more demanding in the coming days. We still have three more days to get ready for the big race, which is good. I like this course a lot, I just hope we will be able to start soon from the top.”

Austria's Michaela Dorfmeister, the 2001 downhill World Champion and winner here and in Cortina d'Ampezzo last month, was sorry that the big jump put in the middle of the speed section has been shaved after the series of crashes on Monday. “Of course it was a tough one, but this was spectacular and good for the better and most experienced skiers,” she said. “I liked it, I think jumps are part of the technical difficulties of a downhill course. Even so it will definitely be challenging on Sunday and I'm looking forward for a good run.”

Anja was pleased

Sweden's Anja Paerson, the new Super-G World Champion, was pleased by her run yet she has not decided if she will or not compete in the downhill race on Sunday. Her next goal is to achieve another strong performance in Friday's combined. “Depending on my result in the combined, I may race Sunday,” she said. “To win gold in downhill has been my great dream when I was a child, but I still need to increase my experience.”
“Today, I was able to improve my line in some turns which was important. I think it's good that the organisers have improved the big jump, it was really rough the other day.”

USA's Lindsey Kildow was happy to get back on her skis after resting a little on Tuesday after suffering a bad crash in the upper part of the course on Monday. “I feel ok, and I had a good run today,” she said. “It's a challenging course which requires great skills. I hope to do a good race on Friday.”

This test was unfortunately marked by the spectacular and dramatic crash of France's Marie Marchand-Arvier who skied into the nets in the lower part of the course after loosing her balance in a tight left turn. The 19-year-old skier from Les Contamines, who came in 32nd and 34th here last month and 22nd in Cortina d'Ampezzo, seemed to suffer from her right arm and various bruises. She was transported to the hospital and the doctors will issue a medical bulletin later on today.

At least two more runs are scheduled in Santa Caterina prior Sunday's race. In the meantime, the combined event will take place there on Friday. The greatest favourites for the podium are the defending World Champion Janica Kostelic, Anja Paerson, Martina Ertl and Marlies Schild.

Patrick Lang