Ryan Cochran-Siegle set the fastest time in first practice for the downhills in Kitzbühel on Tuesday. The American completed the Streif in 1:55.38 minutes, 0.13 seconds faster than the Norwegian and four-time winner of the season, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. The German Romed Baumann (+0.15) finished third ahead of the Swiss Marco Odermatt (0.22).
As the best Austrian, Stefan Babinsky was classified in tenth place, 1.24 seconds behind. Daniel Hemetsberger was 14th (1.67), Otmar Striedinger was 17th (1.94). Vincent Kriechmayr, Austria’s hottest iron for the descents on Friday and Saturday (11.30 a.m. each time, live on ORF1) lost three seconds on Cochran-Siegle and finished 40th.
The second training session will take place on Thursday (11:30 a.m., live on ORF1). Marco Schwarz will not take part. The Carinthian, who sensationally finished sixth in Wengen, is concentrating on the slalom on Sunday on the Ganslern and the two technical races on Tuesday and Wednesday in Schladming. A few ÖSV European Cup drivers like Stefan Rieser, who recently won twice in Sella Nevea, and Felix Hacker were used.