KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) - Quickly turning into an unexpected medal contender, Matthias Mayer of Austria led the second downhill training session Friday on the Olympic course.
The 23-year-old Mayer clocked 2 minutes, 6.51 seconds, slightly quicker than Bode Miller’s leading time from a day earlier, as the course was harder and a bit faster.
While Mayer has never finished better than fifth in a World Cup downhill, he was third in Thursday’s training.
People were interested in these podcasts
Former overall World Cup winner Carlo Janka of Switzerland was second, 0.27 seconds behind, but he missed a gate. Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway was third, 0.55 behind, with Miller sixth, 0.64 behind.
Conditions were again perfect.
A third and final training session is scheduled for Saturday, with the race Sunday opening the medal events for Alpine skiing.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.