The first training run on the Saslong has revealed two insights: the course is in perfect racing condition and the usual suspect will once again have a say as to who will be at the top.

Today’s training has been highly anticipated, given that the course was prepared within three days and three nights and true conditions can only be evaluated by actual racers coming down the course. From this perspective, the race was quite informative. Due to the existing thin layer of snow, the Saslong has a strong profile with long jumps in several key sections of the upper part of the course. And the Ciaslat meadow is more like a washing machine on turbo spin. Only the Finish jump will not reach as far this year. But few will be upset judging on what racers have to go through on Ciaslat.

The challenges on the course were best met by those skiers who have ample experience on the track. Steven Nyman, who has celebrated his only two World Cup victories on the Saslong, has left behind this season’s dominator Kjetil Jansrud (two wins in two Downhill) with 0.20 seconds. Third placed Tobias Stechert from Germany followed by Dominik Paris from South Tyrol, Italy in fourth. These four skiers all clocked a time within a little more than half a second. The rest of the crowd followed further behind with a delay of more than a second.

Tomorrow, the second training run is starting at 12:15 pm. We will comment live on www.saslong.org, results will be live on www.fis-ski.com. The Downhill will take place on Friday and the Super-G on Saturday. Reason for this change in order is the minimal amount of snow available for both races.