Max Franz takes a second career win in Lake Louise

The first Audi FIS Ski World Cup downhill of the season went down under a bright sunshine today at Lake Louise and saw Max Franz claiming the win, followed by the Italian duo Christof Innerhofer and Dominik Paris.

With bib number 1, Max Franz was the first one to tackle the course at Lake Louise. The Austrian racer said he made some mistakes, but all in all it was a good run and he could settle in the leader seat. What he didn’t know at this point, was that he’d be able to hold on to this position all the way to the end of the race. Already last year he grabbed a third place in Lake Louise, but climbing on the highest step, for the second time in his career after Val Gardena 2016, was unexpected. Max Franz is now wearing the red bib for the first time in his career and will have to defend it next week in Beaver Creek.

Behind Franz, two Italians share the podium. In second place, Christof Innerhofer confirmed his great shape after winning the first training run on this course.

Innerhofer’s last podium in downhill goes back to Lenzerheide in 2014, so it’s a relief to him to find the Top 3 again in his favorite discipline. He’ll definitely be one to watch tomorrow, as he was second of the last World Cup super-g held in Åre last March.

Dominik Paris is the other Italian that earned a podium spot today. Despite winning the downhill in Bormio, the season 2017/18 was difficult for him. So earning a podium in Lake Louise, where he could celebrate a win back in 2013, is the best possible way to start the season for him.

Tomorrow, the first super-g of the season will be held in Lake Louise, starting at 12:00 local time (20:00 CET).

Results are available here: Lake Louise Downhill