Nov. 29: First training run won by Austrian Gruber{mosimage}Christoph Gruber of Austria won the first training run Beaver Creek's Birds of
Prey downhill on Tuesday, in a run that started early because organizers
were worried about impending snowstorms.

The top American in the run was Steven Nyman, the 2002 Sprint/Ski Racing
Junior of the Year, who started 47th and finished seventh. Daron Rahlves
was ninth and Justin Johnson 13th.

Gruber's time was 1 minute, 45.45 seconds, a full five seconds slower than the winning
time in last year's race. Soft, fresh snow in the track slowed the racers.

The Colorado resort hosts a World Cup super G on Thursday, downhill Friday, GS Saturday and slalom Sunday.

Check in later today for a complete story.