Svindal psyched by Wengen World Cup downhill with eye on Sochi

The countdown to the Winter Olympics is well underway and the men's World Cup takes in two classics in the coming weeks that could act as a proving ground for Sochi. First up is Wengen, featuring the longest downhill course on the circuit at more than 4.4 kilometres long. It is a stunning setting, the race taking place in the shadow of the instantly recognisable Eiger mountain, standing 3,970 metres (13,026 foot) high, with the equally impressive Jungfrau (4,158m), Moench (4,107) and Shreckhorn (4,078) to either side. The notorious downhill starts at 2,315 metres and features a drop in altitude of 1,025m, with the steepest part measured at a vertiginous 42 degrees. It remains one of the top events in the Swiss sporting year, drawing in some 60,000 fans over the three days of racing, more than half for Saturday's downhill. That figure is even more impressive when one considers that access is only permissible by train on a single-track railway - there are no cars in Wengen, where the streets are kept covered in snow on purpose. In a reflection of how important alpine skiing is to the average citizen of this land-locked nation, nearly one million viewers tuned into Swiss television's coverage of last year's downhill, a massive 73.4 percent of the market share. Friday's super-combined, followed by the downhill and Sunday's slalom, along with the January 22-27 programme in the equally glitzy resort of Kitzbuehel, are a chance for racers to lay down markers ahead of the February 6-23 Olympics. But perhaps more importantly it offers skiers the chance to further hone physical form, boost mental confidence and work out any technical gremlins on two of the scariest courses on the World Cup circuit. Each piste is technically demanding and there have been numerous casualties from dramatic falls that leave huge crowds at the finish area gasping. "Exciting times ahead!!" blogged Norwegian Aksel Lund Svindal, who won super-G gold at the 2010 Olympics, as well as a silver (downhill) and bronze (giant slalom). "2013 was a great year," he said in reference to his world downhill gold in Schladming in February. "Last winter was good and this winter started very good as well. Now it's 2014 and the next weeks and months are packed with highlights. "First we have big World Cup races like Wengen and Kitzbuehel. And shortly after that it's off to Sochi, Russia, and the 2014 Winter Olympics. "I feel good, I'm skiing fast and ready to have some fun! First in Wengen and Kitzbuhel. These are two great World Cup races with spectacular courses, big crowds and lots of adrenaline. "And Olympics are Olympics," he added. "That word brings out so many good memories. Not only from racing, but from being a part of something even bigger than that. Feeling that Olympic spirit. Can't wait; So stay tuned people. Exciting times ahead!!!" Austrian Marcel Hirscher leapfrogged Svindal to the top of the overall World Cup standings with his victory in Adelboden last week. The victory was Hirscher's fourth this season and 22nd of his World Cup career. The 160 points the Austrian accumulated last weekend lifted him to 675 points, passing Svindal's 652. The duo sit far ahead of third-placed American Ted Ligety (333), in a battle for the final podium place with France's Alexis Pinturault (326), Germany's Felix Neureuther (311) and Austrian Hannes Reichelt (296). Pinturault claimed the super-combined in Wengen last season and Neureuther the slalom, ahead of Hirscher, while the downhill went the way of Italian Christof Innerhofer, with Reichelt taking third behind teammate Klaus Kroell. In the past, it has often been the all-rounders that have thrived on the Lauberhorn, with American Bode Miller claiming two downhill victories and one in the super-combined with four other podium placings. Programme (times GMT) Friday - super combined (0930 and 1300); Saturday - downhill (1130); Sunday - slalom (0915 and 1230) Source: AFP