World juniors: Weirather wins gold in women's DH

Tina Weirather from Liechtenstein took her second World Junior Alpine Championships title on Wednesday in the women’s downhill, again held in excellent conditions. Weirather skied the downhill course just seven hundredths ahead of 15-year-old Swiss skier Lara Gut, a much-heralded junior talent. Nicole Schmidhofer of Austria claimed the bronze medal. The fastest skier in training, Gina Stechert  of Germany, had to settle for fifth place.
    “My participation in the ladies’ World Cup on the same course in January really paid off today,” Weirather said. “The course fits me well but Lara was really strong, especially since I did not have a perfect run, though I let it go at full speed.“
    Leanne Smith was the only front-page finisher for the United States, finishing tied for 15th. Kiley Staples was 29th, Hannah Victory 31st, Katie Hartman 40th and Lyndee Janowiak 44th, while U.S. Ski Teamer Megan McJames was a DNF.

ZAUCHENSEE, Austria — Tina Weirather from Liechtenstein took her second World Junior Alpine Championships title on Wednesday in the women’s downhill, again held in excellent conditions.
    Weirather skied the downhill course just seven hundredths ahead of 15-year-old Swiss skier Lara Gut, a much-heralded junior talent. Nicole Schmidhofer of Austria claimed the bronze medal. The fastest skier in training, Gina Stechert  of Germany, had to settle for fifth place.
    “My participation in the ladies’ World Cup on the same course in January really paid off today,” Weirather said. “The course fits me well but Lara was really strong, especially since I did not have a perfect run, though I let it go at full speed."
    Weirather, the daughter of ski racing legends Harti Weirather and Hanni Wenzel, won gold in GS exactly one year ago at Mont Ste. Anne, Quebec, in the 2006 version of the world juniors.
    Gut said, “I have been stronger in downhill this season. Last year I was better in slalom. Although I finished fourth in the Europa Cup downhill in St. Moritz, winning silver here today is a dream come true for me, even if I felt quite good after the training.”
    Weirather skied the WC Strecke course in 1 minute, 39.69 seconds, with Gut .07 back and Schmidhofer .81 back.
    Tuesday, Switzerland’s Beat Feuz captured the gold medal Tuesday in the men’s downhill.
    Leanne Smith was the only front-page finisher for the United States, finishing tied for 15th. Kiley Staples was 29th, Hannah Victory 31st, Katie Hartman 40th and Lyndee Janowiak 44th, while U.S. Ski Teamer Megan McJames was a DNF.
    Canadian Larisa Yurkiw had a solid run, finishing 1.17 back in seventh. Teammate Elli Terwiel was 41st and Marie-Michele Ganon did not finish.
    "We didn't have a stellar day with the girls," commented Walt Evans, the U.S. team leader. "I know McJames and Kiley had problems."
    McJames, the top U.S. seed, didn't make it to the finish and Staples never got on track. Evans terms the results "a little disappointing," but said the men had gotten in a good day of training and were anxious to get to the super G. A threat of warm weather in the forecast, including rain, was foremost on everyone's mind.
    "Travis [Ganong] and Will [Brandenburg] are definite contenders," said men's coach Tom Sell. "And the young guys, Bump Heldman and Max Hammer, can jump in, too. It does depend on weather, but you get what you get whether you want it or not."
    The competitions continue with the men’s super G in Zauchensee and the women’s giant slalom in Flachau on Thursday. On Friday, the women will compete in super G and the men in giant slalom.

— Hank McKee and Don Cameron contributed to this report