KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia -- Quickly turning into an unexpected medal contender, Matthias Mayer of Austria led the second downhill training session Friday on the Olympic course.
The 23-year-old Mayer clocked 2 minutes, 6.51 seconds, slightly quicker than Bode Miller's leading time from a day earlier, as the course was harder and a bit faster.
While Mayer has never finished better than fifth in a World Cup downhill, he was third in Thursday's training.
Former overall World Cup winner Carlo Janka of Switzerland was second, 0.27 seconds behind, but he missed a gate. Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway was third, 0.55 behind, with Miller sixth, 0.64 behind.
Conditions were again perfect.
A third and final training session is scheduled for Saturday, with the race Sunday opening the medal events for Alpine skiing.
