Albrecht returns to action

He was six seconds slower than pace setter Aksel Lund Svindal during downhill practice for this weekend's race but timings were the last thing on the mind of a man who had cheated death following the crash in Kitzbuehel.

"It's a wonderful day for me, I had a lot of fun, I'm very happy with my skiing, even though I took it very easy," Albrecht, who was in a coma for several weeks in an Innsbruck hospital, told reporters after his cautious training run.

"I was very nervous last night and this morning. I did not sleep so well, it was such a crucial test for me.

"I took no risks and skied smoothly during my entire run, it was important for me to get back some feeling for high speed. I have not trained properly downhill for a long time."

The 27-year-old barely remembered who he was after he came out of the coma but thankfully the Swiss soon discovered skiing was one of the things he had not forgotten.

Albrecht, wearing bib number 44, is still a long way from another top-10 result but being able to glide down at high speed on treacherous downhill courses is already a victory for the brave Swiss.

"We are all very pleased, we have also been waiting for this a long time, in fact it's pretty incredible to see Daniel back on his downhill skis after all he went through," said Switzerland head Coach Martin Ruffener.

"He is for sure an amazing athlete with huge determination. He strongly wants to get back to the top. In training he has done some remarkable performances but racing is something totally different so we have to remain cautious."

Albrecht, who does not remember his accident, returned to Kitzbuehel last summer to walk on the final section of the famous Austrian downhill run.

"I didn't feel anything special that day, I have no problem with fear," he said. "It would mean a lot for me to be skiing well again."