American Travis Ganong wins first World Cup downhill

SANTA CATERINA, Italy — In the absence of eight-time World Cup downhill winner Bode Miller, U.S. speed skiers Travis Ganong and Steven Nyman have teamed up for consecutive victories on Italian slopes.

Ganong, 26, charged to his first career World Cup victory in Santa Caterina on Sunday as the men raced on an unfamiliar downhill course at the Italian resort. Nyman, 32, captured his third career win last weekend – all coming on the same track – in nearby Val Gardena.

Ganong of Squaw Valley, Calif., completed the Deborah Compagnoni course – shortened by nearly 2,000 feet due to gusty winds and limited visibility at the top – in 1 minute 32.42 seconds, 0.09 faster than Austrian Olympic downhill champion Matthias Mayer.

Ganong benefitted from a radio course report from teammate Nyman, who skied earlier, finishing 15th.

"Hopefully this will keep going all [next] year – my New Year's resolution is to do this more often," Ganong said following his maiden victory.

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Both Ganong and Nyman seem to be achieving timely results in a season highlighted by the world championships in Vail/Beaver Creek, Colo., Feb. 2-15. The classic downhill races in Wengen, Switzerland and Kitzbuehel, Austria await in January.

Ganong said navigating a new track in Santa Caterina, a race originally slated for the Stelvio piste in nearby Bormio, evened the playing field.

"I love going to new downhills and the challenge of getting to a new venue, seeing the hill for the first time and everybody trying to figure out what to do," Ganong said.

Ganong's triumph was not a huge surprise as the California skier has been steadily rounding into form over previous seasons. In his 10th year on the U.S. Ski Team, Ganong nabbed his first podium last March in Kvitjell, Norway, finishing third. He was also fifth at the Olympic downhill in Sochi.

Nyman, who has nursed back, knee and Achilles tendon injuries in years past, has seemingly found the best form of his 13-year career. In addition to his impressive win on the Saslong track in Val Gardena on Dec. 19, the 6-foot-4 skier was also third in Beaver Creek on Dec. 5.

Nyman, a three-time Olympian, attributes much of his success this season to an equipment revamp aided by his ski technician Leo Mussi.

"After the results last year, I thought 'I gotta blow up my equipment and find a good balance,'" Nyman said. "I downsized my boots, found the right binding placement and I'm running on all different skis and it's really fast."

"It's a tribute to an older guy trying new things," said U.S. Ski Team head coach Sasha Rearick.

Ganong, Nyman and veteran Marco Sullivan seem to be prospering under the guidance of new speed team coach Alex Hoedlmoser, the former coach of Lindsey Vonn and the U.S. women's squad.

"He's really good at putting our whole team in the right mindset the night before a race," Ganong said of the Austrian coach. "He trusts us and we trust him.

"He was with Lindsey forever and was able to put her in the mindset to win more races than anybody else and he's bringing that mentality to our team."

"Alex stepped right in and didn't miss a step," Nyman added. "I think as a team we're firing on all cylinders."

In February, the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek will mark the first time that the U.S. will host the showcase event since 1999.

"I really want to peak for world champs – that's the one race this year that I want to be ready for, so it's all just building to there," said Ganong, who finished fifth on the 'Birds of Prey' course at a World Cup earlier this month.

Nyman echoed similar sentiments: "Having worlds at Beaver Creek is huge. Getting my friends and family out there will be a lot of fun and I know that I can perform on that track."

Miller, a six-time Olympic medalist, is recovering from back surgery and is hopeful to return in January, either in Wengen or the following weekend for the 75th edition Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbuehel.

After four of 10 downhills this season, Ganong and Nyman are tied for third in the discipline standings, trailing Norwegian leader Kjetil Jansrud, who claimed the opening two races in North America.

No U.S. male skier has ever captured the season downhill title. Miller finished runner-up twice, in 2005 and 2008, while Daron Rahlves was second in 2003 and third in 2006.

The men's downhill tour takes a three-week break, returning to action on the revered Lauberhorn course in Wengen, Jan. 16-18.