Max Perathoner is in action with the Azzurri in Courchevel. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

The ski stars are keeping their cards close to their chest.

The penultimate World Cup stage kicked off on Wednesday in Courchevel, France. It began with the first downhill training run, which Matthieu Bailet won.

March 11, 2026

From: fop

The French local hero, starting with the high number 54, set the fastest time, followed by Austria's speed star Vincent Kriechmay (+0,17 seconds) and the Swiss Stefan Rogentin (+0,27).

Giovanni Franzoni was the best Italian, posting the sixth fastest time. The South Tyrolean riders didn't show their true colors in the first training run. Christof Innerhofer (15th), Dominik Paris (24th), Florian Schieder (30th), and Max Perathoner (66th) finished well outside the top positions.

New program in Courchevel

Due to the weather forecast, program changes have been made. The downhill race will now take place on Friday (11:00 AM), and the Super-G races on Saturday (11:00 AM) and Sunday (10:45 AM). Originally, a Super-G was scheduled for both Friday and Sunday, and the downhill for Saturday. Thursday's training run has been cancelled.