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Ladies’ downhill training from 9.30 am LIVE

Mirjam Puchner

(Bild: GEPA)

Mirjam Puchner is probably our hottest ticket for tomorrow's World Championship downhill (11.30 am in the sportkrone.at ticker) in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. The skier from Salzburg finished second in the third and final downhill training run, confirming her good form after being the best Austrian in the first two training runs. The best time was set by Czech Ester Ledecka.

Mirjam Puchner achieved the second-fastest time in the third and final training run for the World Championship downhill on Saturday (11.30 am) in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. The skier from Salzburg, who was already ahead in the second training run, triggered the timekeeping on Friday 0.22 seconds later than Ester Ledecka from the Czech Republic. As announced, super-G world champion Stephanie Venier concentrated on the upper section and continued upright after the panoramic turn to the minute mark.

Here is the result:

Ager replaced Haaser
After Haaser's withdrawal from the World Championships, the ÖSV called Christina Ager to Hinterglemm at short notice. The Tyrolean (23rd/+2.64) is not an option for the Special Downhill for technical reasons, but could take Haaser's place in the Team Combined next week. "I like being there, I'm happy, I can soak up the atmosphere. I just enjoy it," said Ager after "very turbulent" hours on Thursday afternoon, when it was time to "pack up and please come."

Ager had not followed the super-G after the World Championship disappointment and had gone skiing on the Arlberg instead. "I had to get away from it," said the 29-year-old. "The week after I was told it wasn't going to happen was really hard. It was really difficult for me to get my head around it and motivate myself for training." Now an unexpected appearance at the major event beckons after all. "It's a privilege to be able to compete for Austria at a World Championships." Ager came fourth in the special downhill in Saalbach last year.