BEAVER CREEK, COLindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) led the way for the U.S. Thursday as she finished fifth in downhill training, with Vonn posting her results in Lake Louise, Alberta.
The U.S. women had a slew of successes as four others joined Vonn in the top 20. They were led by Keely Kelleher (Big Sky, MT) in 12th, Chelsea Marshall (Pittsfield, VT) in 15th, Stacey Cook (Mammoth Mountain, CA) in 16th and Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) in 19th.
"We're cautiously optimistic with the way the downhill training has gone this week. We talked about keeping pace through every training run, not just being fast on the first one, and being in the hunt," Women's Alpine Head Coach Jim Tracy said. "That's what they've all done, so we're all really happy with how the progression has gone the last couple days."
The men and women race Friday, with the women competing in a downhill in a downhill. The men kick off the annual Birds of Prey races in Beaver Creek with a super combined.
"We're so excited every time the World Cup starts and tomorrow is our big day. We can't wait," said Cecilia Folz, president of the Vail Valley Foundation. "It's a packed day with training in the morning and the combined. The weather looks good and I think we're going to have great finishes and everyone is going to do great."
The downhill will air Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC with replay Sunday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. ET on Versus followed by super combined at 5 p.m. ET. Versus will also air GS on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. ET. Additionally Universal Sports will stream this weekend's races at the following times:
UniversalSports.com (LIVE)
Friday, December 4
1:00-2:25 pm ET - Beaver Creek Men's SC-DH
2:30-4:30 pm ET - Lake Louise Women's DH *
4:30-5:35 pm ET - Beaver Creek Men's SC-SL
Saturday, December 5
1:00-2:45 pm ET - Beaver Creek Men's DH
2:30-4:30 pm ET - Lake Louise Women's DH *
Sunday, December 6
11:45-1:05 pm ET - Beaver Creek Men's GS1
1:00-3:00 pm ET - Lake Louise Women's SG *
2:45-3:35 pm ET - Beaver Creek Men's GS2
