Skiing: Maier to race in Lauberhorn downhill

Following a strong training run yesterday, the Austrian ski star Hermann Maier announced he would race his first downhill in almost two years in this weekend's double–header on the notorious Lauberhorn.

Posting the 10th–fastest time in final training Thursday, Maier was just 1.44 seconds behind leader and teammate Klaus Kroell, who crossed in 2 minutes, 30.78 seconds.

Switzerland's Bruno Kernen was second–quickest in 2:31.03, while Italy's Kurt Sulzenbacher was third in 2:31.36.

"I'm pretty satisfied," Maier said. "I felt really good. I attacked, contrarily to the others. I need to build up speed, still. That's my only small problem."

Maier, who chose make his long–awaited comeback in a giant slalom on Tuesday in Adelboden – considered the toughest technical course on the circuit – has against chosen a difficult piste for his return to speed racing.

The Lauberhorn, the longest downhill on the World Cup circuit, is a wildly varying course, which boasts both the fastest and slowest passages on the entire men's tour, with the straight Hannegg section pushing racers to speeds of up to 150 kph (94 mph) and the Brueggli corner forcing skiers to slam on the breaks to slow to 70 kph (44 mph). Skiers arrive winded at the finish, skiing intensely for over two and a half minutes.

And the final "S" turn just before the finishline, a spectacularly difficult set of sharp curves, has been the site of gruesome accidents over the years, including one death.

Reigning overall, downhill and super–G champion Stephan Eberharter, who on Wednesday called the course "more dangerous than usual," finished 23rd in training, so will start in the top 10 on race day.

The Austrian judged his training run almost perfectly, slamming on the brakes at the top of the final section in order to finish later – but still in the top–30 – and get a better starting number in Friday's race.

Last week in Bormio, Eberharter had misjudged his finish, slowing down too much in the final meters, leaving him outside the top–30 and with a disappointingly late start bib.

Eberharter, who had been struggling to return to form following a knee injury in Val d'Isere in December, still managed to win the Bormio race thanks to an outstanding performance.

Traditionally, a seeding system allowed the top 15 skiers to choose their starting position. Skiers and team technicians chose a start number based on the weather forecast and snow conditions. However, in an attempt to boost television interest, the International Ski Federation changed the rules this season. Now, in the downhill, the 30 fastest skiers from final training start in reverse order.

There was uncharacteristic camaraderie between longtime rivals Eberharter and Maier in the finish area. Gone was the tension that often flows between the two, with Maier slapping Eberharter on the back and congratulating him on his clever braking maneuver in the final section to get a better starting number.

"I had a good performance today," acknowledged Eberharter, the winner of four downhills this season. "My win in Bormio last week was really great and now I know I am back. I am in good shape and I feel pretty confident for this weekend."

American Bode Miller was 13th in 2:32.67, while compatriot Daron Rahlves, the winner of a downhill in Bormio in December, crossed a disappointing 33rd trailing by 3.33, and will start out of the top–30 on Friday.