World juniors: Swiss skier Feuz golden in downhill

By Published On: March 6th, 2007Comments Off on World juniors: Swiss skier Feuz golden in downhill

Switzerland’s Beat Feuz captured the gold medal Tuesday in the men’s downhill at the 2007 FIS World Junior Ski Championships.


ZAUCHENSEE, Austria — Switzerland’s Beat Feuz captured the gold medal Tuesday in the men’s downhill at the 2007 FIS World Junior Ski Championships.
    Matts Olsson of Sweden took silver and Austria’s Bernhard Graf won bronze, with two Americans in the top 10. Will Brandenburg was fifth and Travis Ganong eighth.
    Feuz scorched the WC Strecke course in 1 minute, 38.41 seconds, .44 better than Olsson and .55 ahead of Graf. Brandenburg was .92 back.
    Feuz was a surprise winner, having not collected a single Europa Cup point in downhill this season. Held in beautiful sunny weather and good course conditions, the race was considerable faster than the training the day before.
    “Initially, I was unhappy that we did not have a second training for the downhill,” Feuz said, “but now I am happy instead as I really had the perfect day since I am actually a slalom specialist.“
    Alex Reiner, president of the organizing committee, said, “The race was quite difficult for many young athletes given the difference in course conditions between yesterday’s training and today’s race.”
    American Tommy Ford was 26 and Bump Heldman 50th. Max Hammer was disqualified, and Mark Mikos did not finish.
    Tyler Nella was the top Canadian, in 18th, with Benjamin Thomsen 23rd, Philippe Crete Belzile 24th and Paul Atkinson 41st.

Stechert fastest in women’s DH training
    Germany’s Gina Stechert paced women’s downhill training Tuesday, recording a time of 1:39.62 in preparation for Wednesday’s race. Laura Gut of Switzerland was .73 back in second and France’s Anne Sophie Barthet was third, .93 back.
    Leanne Smith was the top American, in 14th, with Hannah Victory 24th, Kiley Staples and Megan McJames tied for 26th, Katie Hartman 41st and Lyndee Janowiak 51st. Marie-Michele Gagnon paced the Canadians in 12th, with Larisa Yurkiw 19th.

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About the Author: Pete Rugh