Innerhofer leads opening downhill training in Bormio

Returning to the site of his first World Cup victory a decade ago, Christof Innerhofer led the opening training session for a downhill on the Stelvio course yesterday.

Daniel Hemetsberger of Austria was second and Ryan CochranSiegle of the United States third.

However, Innerhofer and Hemetsberger each missed gates in their runs.

"The course is really hard. It bounces you around. It was a war," Innerhofer said. "Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make all of the gates but it was just a training run. I've got a good feeling but I need another training session to get the best lines down."

Innerhofer claimed the first of his six World Cup wins in a downhill on the Stelvio in 2008. The Italian was also third in this race in 2010.

The icy conditions on the Stelvio suit Innerhofer.

A second training session is scheduled for today, followed by the downhill race on Friday then a super-G on Saturday.