SKIING WORLD CUP AT ASPEN : Europeans Are Heavy Favorites in Downhill

The sun came out over the Colorado Rockies Thursday, and so did the downhill racers.

After wind and snow forced cancellation of training runs the previous two days, elite skiers on the World Cup circuit were able to make the required two runs in preparation for today’s high-speed chase down Aspen Mountain.

The race is called “America’s Downhill,” and it may be the best chance a U.S. male has this season to pull off a high finish. A.J. Kitt is the top American in the overall standings--in 51st place. That’s not too impressive, but Kitt, 22, has shown he is capable of cracking the top 15 and earning World Cup points.

If Kitt should falter, Tommy Moe, 21, also has the ability to surprise the heavily favored Europeans, and like Kitt, he should benefit from the cheers of the home-country crowd.

Franz Heinzer of Switzerland, who leads the downhill season standings with 89 points, also figures to get a fight from Norwegian Atle Skaardal, fellow Swiss Daniel Mahrer and Canadian Rob Boyd. Skaardal has 60 downhill points, Mahrer 59 and Boyd 54.

Then there is Marc Girardelli of Luxembourg, the overall World Cup leader, who can score points in all four Alpine disciplines. The 30-year-old native of Austria will be trying to add to his 73-point margin over runner-up Alberto Tomba of Italy, who sits out downhill races.

Girardelli skipped Thursday’s second training run, complaining of pain in his left knee.

Tomba will take his best shots in the giant slalom Saturday and the slalom Sunday, hoping to prevent Girardelli from wrapping up his record-equaling fourth overall championship.