Reichelt and Theaux top the training runs in Wengen

January is the so-called “slalom month” but it also includes three full weeks of classical speed races, starting with the Lauberhorn races in Wengen.

A powerful storm hit the mountains in the Berner Oberland pretty hard at the beginning of the week and lots of safety installations and event infrastructures have been destroyed by wind gusts up to 200 km/h. However, the organisers put all the efforts in to repair, restore and rebuilt the infrastructures to be able to offer good conditions for the racers and a great experience to the guests.

Two downhill trainings took place on Wednesday and Thursday and despite the storm, both training runs could be held from the very top to the bottom of the course, giving a chance to the legendary Lauberhorn downhill to take place on the entire track on Saturday, maybe even under blue skies.

The athletes that performed well in the training runs are mostly experienced World Cup athletes. Hannes Reichelt – winner of the 2015 edition – was the fastest in the first training, followed by Peter Fill and Beat Feuz – winner of the 2012 edition and current World Champion, while Adrien Théaux topped the second training, ahead of Olympic Champion Matthias Mayer and Max Franz.

Race mode is on from tomorrow on, with the Alpine Combined on Friday (10h30 DH / 14h00 SL), the downhill on Saturday (12h30) and the slalom on Sunday (10h15 / 13h15).