America's Superstar Picabo Street clocked the fastest time in the first training run of the women's downhill scheduled for next Monday.

The 1998 Super-G Olympic Champion is ready to win a third medal in her third Olympics in what should be her last major ski race - the 30-year-old US veteran beat by 41/100 of a second her teammate Caroline Lalive while Germany's Sybille Brauner was the third fastest with a delay of 71/100.

Three other favorites also skied among the top-10 in that first timed trial - the reigning World Champion Michaela Dorfmeister was 5th, Italy's Isolde Kostner 7th ahead of Austria's Renate Goetschl.

Hilde Gerg, the double winner at Saalbach was a far 21st after losing over two seconds on the leader.

A happy Janica

Janica Kostelic, who has only started in one downhill this winter, was a cautious yet happy 33rd after a smooth and controlled run. The Croatian enjoyed the nice weather and the perfectly prepared course but she didn't take any risk on her way down the 2694 meters of the "Wildflower" course. "I'm fine and I had a nice run, it was quite fast" she said. "So far things are going well for me, I'm having a good time in our place. I feel in good shape after the break I took last week and ready for some good racing. I'll decide on Sunday if I also compete in the downhill or nor. It could help me for the combined events and the Super-G. I'll see how I feel on Sunday".

Picabo ready for the Olympic race

Picabo Street, who has not won a downhill for a long time, has found back all her momentum in time for the Olympic race. "It's so great to be here and compete a last time in front of my fans" she said. "I have been waiting this moment for many years and I'm very proud of myself. I had to fight hard in the last years to achieve this comeback but it was worth it. I like to ski on this fast course which suits my style. I aim to fly over it as a fighter jet".

Another training run is planned on Sunday after the men's competition. The Austrian leaders are expected to fight back after this timid debut. Renate Goetschl, the winner in the past two downhills, aims to win her very first Olympic medal. In 1998 she crashed in Nagano after clocking a fast intermediate time.

A last training run is planned for Sunday after the men's competition.