Frenchman Wins Downhill

Luc Alphand of France won the season-opening World Cup downhill at Vail, Colo., giving him four victories in the last eight downhills.

It was a disappointing day for a talented American downhill team. AJ Kitt of Boulder, Colo., tied for 20th in 1:39.48. Kyle Rasmussen of Angels Camp, Calif., who won two downhills last season, placed 30th in 1:39.83. Tommy Moe of Girdwood, Alaska, the 1994 Olympic downhill gold medalist, who is coming off knee surgery last March, was 32nd in 1:39.85.

A men’s super-G is scheduled today.

At Lake Louise, Alberta, Russia’s Warwara Zelenskaja was the fastest in the final training for the opening downhill race of the women’s World Cup ski season.

Zelenskaja negotiated the 1.44-mile men’s Olympic Downhill course in 1:26.30.