Paris back in top form

On the eve of his home World Championship in Cortina, Dominik Paris made the statement that he will be hunting for gold, after earning his first victory since returning from an ACL injury today in downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

It was the 19th career World Cup victory for the 31 year-old Paris, who suffered the ACL tear just over a year ago in Kitzbühel.

Finishing just 0.37 seconds off the winning pace was this year’s downhill force, Beat Feuz. Feuz won both Kitzbühel downhills and was threatening for the three-peat but two small mistakes cost the Swiss star valuable time. It was still Feuz’s 51st career World Cup podium and his 39th in downhill.

Rounding out the top three was the ever-consistent Matthias Mayer, who was 0.30 seconds behind Feuz. Mayer has only finished out of the top-10 in a speed race once this season and picked up his fifth consecutive podium finish.

Paris’ victory adds another element of surprise to the upcoming downhill race at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. The slope is entirely new to the men, leaving open virtually every possibility. With the home and fan favorite Paris in now top form a new contender has emerged to fight for the gold.

But before the attention turns to Cortina, the men have one last chance to fine tune and prepare with the last race before the Championships. Tomorrow’s super-G, which was originally scheduled for today, will close the pre-World Championship season.