11.   Alphand has been the World Cup downhill champion the last two years.

12.   Alphand was the season downhill champion last year and wont he first downhill of the year in Vail, Colorado.

13.   Alphand, the defending World Cup downhill champion, said he was not disappointed, despite defeat.

14.   American Picabo Street, the World Cup downhill champion, survived a spectacular spill Thursday in the World Cup finals with only a badly bruised right shoulder.

15.   American Picabo Street, the defending World Cup downhill champion, was almost as happy with her bronze as Kostner was with gold.

16.   Defending World Cup downhill champion Katja Seizinger of Germany finished third.

17.   Downhill champion Katja Seizinger staved off the slalom specialists in constant snow to clinch the combined event, her second gold in as many days.

18.   Downhill champion Fritz Strobl was fourth.

19.   Fleischer is a two-time U.S. downhill champion.

20.   Five former Kitzbuehel downhill champions will be attempting to repeat their successes.