The Albany Gazette - Italy's Casse tops second Olympic downhill training

In bright, sunny conditions, Casse clocked 1min 52.85sec down the Stelvio course.

Italian teammates Florian Schieder and Giovanni Franzoni were the next fastest.

Swiss medal hope Marco Odermatt came in 2.72sec off Casse's pace, one of many racers who eased off the gas in a bid to find their correct lines ahead of Saturday's downhill race.

"The piste is really good, getting better day by day, also the crew work well and I hope it stays in this condition because I like the snow, I like this slope and we will see what happens in the next two days," said Casse.

"Our team is strong, we work together for the top position every day, every month before the Olympics.

"Franzoni is a young guy, he pushed others because he skied well in the last month.

"The goal for me is to stay focused, stay in shape and try my best ski and after the finish line we'll see!"

Franzoni said it was nice to see an Italian sweep on home snow, albeit the results count for nothing as racers focus on testing equipment and trying out tactics.

"Yeah, it feels good, but it's just a training," said the 24-year-old who has won World Cup races in Wengen and Kitzbuehel this season.

"We are a good team, we are skiing really well, but it's the second training. We also have two days ahead and the conditions are changing day by day, so we will see.

"The slope was pretty bumpy and icy, more than yesterday, and we got so much more speed... we have to be good to watch, on the race day during the inspection, which is the new speed and the new lines to make the difference."

Schieder said the slope was "not as bad as in December" when the World Cup circuit comes through town, with the course notoriously dark.

"With the weather like this, it is a lot better."

Odermatt, the reigning Olympic giant slalom champion who is fancied to add to his medal haul in Bormio, said training had differed from Wednesday's first run.

"A little bit different for sure," the 28-year-old runaway World Cup leader said.

"They cleaned up the whole track, there is less fresh snow from the day before and it's already a little bit more bumpy - but we know Bormio is usually bumpy like that. It was nice to ski."

Odermatt added: "As always, I try different skis in the training and try some different lines as well. It's always hard to really push in the training for me, so I was happy with my run."

The Swiss all-rounder said he felt confident of the competition ahead following a dominant showing in the World Cup.

"I feel good," he said. "After a good season like that, it's nice to come into the Olympics.

"The confidence is there and also the good skiing, so all good... My goal is to show good skiing, and if I show my good skiing, I know I can win some medals."

(F.Jackson--TAG)