Bitterly cold temperatures Wednesday in Lake Louise, Alta., didn't faze a trio of Austrian skiers, who posted impressive times during downhill training for this week's women's World Cup opener.

Andrea Fischbacher took top stop, clocking a time of one minute, 51.73 seconds on the 2.9-kilometre course in temperatures that hovered around -30 C.

Andrea Fischbacher of Austria flies down the course Wednesday on her way to the fastest time in the second training run for the Lake Louise women's downhill ski race.
(Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

Marlies Schilds, winner of the season's opening two slaloms, finished in a tie for third in 1:52.32, while Lake Louise veteran Renate Goetschl placed sixth.

Goetschl has reached the Lake Louise podium a staggering 10 times, including four wins, and is one of the favourites this time.

Britt Janyk of Whistler, B.C., was the top Canadian in ninth place.

"It was a really good day," said Janyk, the reigning Canadian downhill champion. "I was loose and relaxed out there."

The Austrians appear set to continue their domination after sweeping to victory in the opening three races of the season.

At one point, Austria occupied the top four positions until a pack of back markers took advantage of improving conditions to break into the top of the standings.

Spanish skier shines

Spain's Carolina Ruiz Castillo posted the second best time (1:52.28), followed by Slovenia's Petra Robnik. Rounding out the top five was Britain's Chemmy Alcott.

Italy's Nadia Fanchini, the fastest in first training on Tuesday, dropped to 10th on Wednesday. American Lindsey Kildow, a two-time downhill winner on the Olympic course, was 29th.

The start of training was delayed for an hour as racers covered their faces with tape to prevent frost bite.

Emily Brydon of Fernie, B.C., who is battling back from a disappointing season last year, was 35th in 1:54.41.

"I had a little too much respect for the course today," Brydon said. "I had a few good sections and some that were not so good, but you have to charge at Lake Louise and I did not do that enough."

Among the other Canadians in training, Genevieve Simard of Val-Morin, Que., was 54th (1:55.46); Sherry Lawrence of Calgary 57th (1:55.83); Danielle Poleschuk of Fernie 63rd (1:56.26); and Shona Rubens of Canmore, Alta., the last skier down the hill, was 67th (2:01.15).

Kelly VanderBeek of Chilliwack, B.C., decided not to ski after finishing second in Tuesday's training.

The women will race downhills Friday and Saturday, followed by a super-giant slalom on Sunday.

With files from the Canadian Press