Group Of Skier Cross Racers Battling For Position

KITZBUEHEL, Austria (AP) - Ten years after winning the classic World Cup downhill on the famous Streif course, Daron Rahlves has come back to Kitzbuehel to have one more go.

The American went down the challenging 2-mile slope on Thursday as one of the forerunners who tested the course before the official training started.

Rahlves said, "It's still fun, but I was having troubles with it immensely today.

A three-time Olympian, Rahlves retired from World Cup Alpine skiing in 2006 after winning 12 races and claiming one world title in super-G. He continued in freestyle and ski cross for the following four years.

The American hadn't clicked into downhill skis since his retirement. The lack of practice forced him to take it easy on the technically demanding course.

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