Cuche sets Kitzbuehel pace

The Swiss skier negotiated the Streif course in a time of 1:58.10, a clear thee-tenths ahead of Austrian Klaus Kroell and France’s Johan Clarey, who shared second place on the timesheets.

Norwegian Aksel Lund Svindal was well down the field in 19th, while Bode Miller ended 21st.

Downhill World Cup points leader Beat Feuz was 28th, almost 2.5 seconds off the pace.

Overall champion Ivica Kostelic crashed into the safety nets but avoided injury.

A third and final session is scheduled for Thursday, though with snow and rain forecast there is a risk it will be cancelled.

The men's downhill race is set to take place on Saturday.

1 Didier Cuche (SUI) 1:58.10

2= Klaus Kroell (AUT) 1:58.40

2= Johan Clarey (FRA) 1:58.40

4 Dominik Paris (ITA) 1:58.60

5 Hannes Reichelt (AUT) 1:58.82

6 Adrien Theaux (FRA) 1:58.88

7 Andrej Sporn (SLO) 1:58.94

8 Erik Guay (CAN) 1:59.06

9 Stephan Keppler (GER) 1:59.19

10 Kjetil Jansrud (NOR) 1:59.20