Canada's Osborne-Paradis posts fastest time in opening downhill training session

By Gregory Strong, Canadian Press

JEONGSEON, Korea, Republic Of — Canada's Manuel Osborne-Paradis posted the fastest time in the first Olympic downhill training session on Thursday.

Osborne-Paradis, from Invermere, B.C., finished in one minute 40.45 seconds in breezy, sunny conditions at the Jeongseon Alpine Centre — although the 34-year-old missed an early gate which would have disqualified him in a real race.

• RESULTS: Men's downhill
• SCHEDULE: Alpine skiing

Norway's Kjetil Jansrud was second in 1:40.76 and Switzerland's Mauro Caviezel was third in 1:40.90.

Additional training sessions were scheduled for Friday and Saturday ahead of Sunday's race.

Ben Thomsen of Invermere, B.C. and Broderick Thompson of Whistler, B.C., were tied for 25th in 1:42.42. Toronto's Jack Crawford was 41st in 1:43.47 and Dustin Cook of Lac-Sainte-Marie, Que., was 45th in 1:44.12.

Osborne-Paradis, who celebrated his birthday Thursday and is making his fourth appearance at the Winter Olympics, is one of the leaders on the Canadian team.

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Montreal's Erik Guay was named to the squad last month but he had to pull out a few days later due to a back injury.

Alpine skiing will run Feb. 11-24 at the Games. Speed events will be held at the Jeongseon Alpine Centre and the technical events are set for the Yongpyong Alpine Centre.