St Moritz, Switzerland - Part 1 Ski Sunday

Up here, surrounded by breathtaking landscape and the magic of the

mountains, you're on top of the world looking down on a town steeped

in winter sport history that has twice hosted the Olympic Games.

COMMENTATOR: High above St Moritz, the torch marks the first meeting

the world's Olympic athletes. It is preparing once more to welcome the

fastest and most talented skiers on planet. This is St Moritz. In

competition here, speed is a determining factor.

COMMENTATOR: It's a Swiss racer in first. Feuz. The smallest of

mistakes can make the difference between victory and loss.

COMMENTATOR: The champion of the world. The pinnacle of ski racing

are those who demand the best of themselves, constantly striving to

go faster. COMMENTATOR: He's done it. He's the

word champion. Pushing themselves to their absolute limit. And these

marvellous yet challenging mountains will require their resilience and

determination as they dream of finishing here on top of the world.

Welcome to Ski Sunday. We're in Switzerland's glitziest resort, St

Moritz, the birthplace of winter tourism for the biggest show of the

alpine season. It is the World Championships. The town is packed

with thousands of fans who've come to experience the thrill of watching

the fastest ski racers in competition. If you're feeling the

need for speed, today's show is for you. We've both of the blue riband

events, the men's and women's's downhill races. In the men's

competition it is too close to call it. Promising to be a thrilling

race. In the women's Lindsey Vonn is making progress from her come back

from injury Who ever wins either of these two downhill titles will write

their names into the alpine skiing history books. Later in the show,

Graham's teeming up with our armed forces to find out how they're using

skiing to get the best out of their soldiers. First aid kit. Get him

out, get him out, quick. It was no walk in the park. The The men's

downhill on it is steeper than the infamous Stripe. It is truly

terrifying. Before he takes it on himself is, Graham wanted to give

you a taste of what the racers will see when they look down out of the

start hut. The legendries Swiss downhill race Bernard Russi

redesigned this course the last time St Moritz hosted the World

Championships in 2003. The cable car stops halfway up. The racers have to

climb this flight of stairs to the incredibly steep start section.

Apparently Rusi had the idea when he was racing the Third World

championships here in 1974, his visionfuls for a free fall start. If

you have a look at it, it is quite incredible. 45 degrees, it's the

steepest and fastest of all downhill starts in the world. By the time

they reach this spot, the racers will have accelerated to 140 kmph in

six seconds. There's plenty more meat lower down. Man-made features

using natural terrain. The great thing about these man-made features

is it is like a ski cross. This is called the Mauritius jump. Often the

fastest line is also the most dangerous. You could lose count of

the number of jumps on this course. For me, the toughest section is

this. Felson. Very steep and technical. It is so important to

carry the speed here to the finish. All in all, Bernard's done a great

job. It's one of the most audacious start lines I've ever seen. I'm

intrigued will it come down to maths and courage or is there a technical

element? All of these guys have courage in abundance and a lot of

mass. They spend a lot of time in the gym. The question is, who can

take that speed and carry it out along the flats. Two years ago we'd

a surprise winner in Patrick Kong. We've had a different winner in

every World Cup downhill so far this season. We've the Italians. Dominik

Paris won in kits very. Travis won in Garmis. And the Austrian's back

as well. You have your eye on the Swiss? You would say it is beat

Feuz. He is confident, he won the World Cup Finals here last year. It

promises to be a highly competitive if not unpredibilitiable race.

Here's a full taster of what the world's best will be facing. Rather

you than me, Graham, it's all yours. We've seen what this free fall start

looks like. This is what it feels like. It's like stepping into a we

will lit elevator shaft. Absolutely flying from the moment you set off.

Absolutely incredible feeling. You're going from 0-80 mph in just a

few seconds. On to the banks, bumpy turn. We're approaching the first of

these build-up man-made jumps. Will jump away a little bit to clear on

to the flat. That was the Soretto. This is the Lanjiro. Over it. Just a

fraction too high off that jump. Over the Mauritius. Now, we're going

to tuck it out. Coming to the next jump. Didn't quite make the landing

there. We're setting up for the tightest turns on the course. We're

going into blind gate as you come over the rise. Then you dive down

through this compression and over this other roller. That's the meat

of the course. Really tough down through there. Two more jumps to go.

Six in total. This is the Rollinger. A lovely little flight. Final jump,

the La tricks kinsprung. Press forward. A high-speed course all

right! Wow, really high-speed. Lots of air. From the start, it's just

free fall. Brilliant. You said it resembled a ski cross course? All

the jumps, I didn't have enough speed to make it. I had a real hard

landing. Everything else is beautiful. Beautiful rollers if you

attack it. It's note time for the running of the 2017 World

Championships downhill. Matt Matt has the commentary. Conditions were

clear this morning for the forerunners. A mid-mountain fog has

swept in and the race organisers have decided to lower the start,

depriving the racers and the crowd of the spectacular free fall course

opening. But, we have a downhill. There's a huge crowd basking in

sunshine in the finish area as we're set to get underway. Number 5,

Dominik Paris, the winner of the down I will had, the toughest of

them all on the 31st January. He's had solid results all season, in

fact. Solid flight from Dominik Paris, the 27-year-old Italian. Now,

the succession of high-flying spectacular rollers and ledges comes

his way. One after the other. Having to straighten his legs. Push

forward. Squash the jump, massive flight from Paris as he stands on

that left ski to make the following turn. Flies again. Awkward on

landing. 38 metres for the Frenchman. 99 kilometres per hour on

landing. He's into the green zone now. Dominik Paris for Italy. He is

fighting for top spot here. The Italian's on great form so far.

1:20.95 for Paris. He's the quickest. So, pushes his arms

forwards. Gets a nice early landing. One more turn and it's the finishing

line waiting for Paris. Will he have gold medal position? Yes, he does!

New leader in the men's World Championship downhill. It's

high-flying Dominik Paris. Number 7 for Italy. Number 1 downhill racer

of the season so far. Peter Fill. He hasn't won a race. Been second on

two occasions. He's been third on one occasion. Fourth in kits very.

Now he races. In the World Championship downhill. Nice jump

from Peter Fill. He's in the green zone. In the early

stages. Now he's going to have to fly. And fly again. It's good going

so far from Peter Fill. Now, he'll thrust his arms forward here and

wrap them behind his backside to maintain as much aerodynamic shape

in flight. He's gone a slightly different line there. Wide of the

blue line. And he flew 36 metres on take-off. Hand on the snow. That

keeps him in first position. Green all the way for Fill of the hi.

Italy. Another split coming up. Paris 1:20.95. Fill has lost a

little. .17. Still green for the Italian. It could be an Italian

one/two. Dominik Paris leads the way. Here comes his team-mate Peter

Fill. Final jump, fill gets low and goes for the line and takes gold

medal position. Fill is first for Italy. Pushing Paris to second. Feuz

third for France. The 25-year-old Slovenian is away.

Clean is notice green. -- clean is in the green.

That jump, took is solidly. Kept himself nice and low. Anticipating

every bump and jump. Getting better from Bostjan Kline. Having to react

to the changes. He put the brakes on slightly. 34 metres of flight. Is he

still in front? He's behind now. .05 behind. Very tight for Kline. The

quality of downhill skiing on offer has been sensational. We are seeing

men at the very top of their game putting down an astonishing feats of

ski racing skill. Kline is fastest of the them all by four tenths. What

a run from the Slovenian. He has the final jump to come. Lands solidly.

Can Bostjan Kline go gold? He has. First position. Bostjan Kline leads.

Jansrud. The winner of the World Cup race in Val d'Isere at the beginning

of December. Big powerful stuff. Looking for maximum forward prop you

wills. It's promising for Jansrud. Trails the shove of Slovenian by a

tenth of a second. Now, non-stop succession of rollers, ledges and

jumps to really test the overall skill of the downhiller. Long flight

there. Stands on that left ski. Gets a little wide and lower in the line.

Recovers. He's getting closer. 1 hundred wreath behind. Three red

lights. Will he get a green at the next one? 13 metres of flight.

Jansrud put the brakes on there. Kept it low. Kept the jump short.

Switches on his first green light of this run. Run..32 in front.

Norwegian's starting to anticipate something special here for Jansrud

of Norway. Last Norwegian to win this title, 2013.

It is going to be tight. Kline leads for Slovianskia. Jansrud takes it

from him for Norway. 13 hundredth of a second, the lead changing time and

time again. Jansrud into gold for Norway.

One of the big favourites Jansrud takes the lead, he had an unusual

line, he rolled too much in the air, to the right, landed, went straight

down, had to correct at last minute. Back to the left and into that long

right-hander again, it was. Will like he did a GS turn half way

through the return but it got him back on line and he was able to

carry that on the the steep section and clean in the air over the last

two jumps. Here is the difending champion,

wearing the white bib, he is the man that won this title. Two years ago.

Kueng. Matching Jansrud turn for turn across the snow. It could come

down to his skill in the air. Kept that one nice and tight. Just stood

tall for a second and pays the price. 15 hundredths behind but not

out of reach just yet. Patrick kueng with a slightly higher line there.

That is the line that Peter Fill took into this section, winding down

the windows Patrick Kueng and it has got away from him slightly. 16

hundredths of a second off the pace, getting bounced around the course,

cutting up as each racer puts their steel edges through the top surface

of the snow. It's a little clumsy looking at times from Patrick Kueng,

11 hundredths, he has clawed back a little bit of time. He might be in

the hunt for a provisional podium position. As he takes a risk off the

jump. Lands it, sets up for the next one. They are going crazy in the

finish. As Patrick Kueng goes first equal. They couldn't split them at

the top and Jansrud and Kueng are level. Sharing gold medal position

right now. What a race! Patrick Kueng was tied

with Jansrud on the first two splits. Splits. Went a bit behind as

he took a different line, it was much too high on the left-hand side

of the course, flapped in the air a couple of times and then his skis

skidded into that right-hander, but made it up over the only ger jump

and the Larkin to tie in the finish. Number 13.

Fouad Feuz is ready to race. He was quickest in the training run. He is

out on downhill day. The bronze medal list two years ago, first jump

solidly landed. Feuz wraps the poles round his body and shapes himself as

low as he dares for the next flight. Beautifully done. Lovely flight from

Feuz and he has himself a green light for his efforts.

Oh, what a jump there from Beat Feuz, he flew and flew and never

ending flight and the line is nice and early now, for the Swiss

downhill skier. 32 metres in the air, a little skid sideways but the

speed is fantastic. Two tenth, Feuz gets a hand down. The big man is

attacking the mountain in St Moritz, with a band this afternoon. Kueng

and Jansrud are the joint leaders but they might be denied by Beat

Feuz, who is leaving it all on the side of the mountain this afternoon.

Brilliant flight again. Beat Feuz clocks 119.2 kilometres per hour,

and tucks in, and takes gold medal position, Feuz into first, for

Switzerland. Fantastic run. That is how to do it. Beat Feuz owned the

lower section of this course, from the first jump he was faultless.

Great line over that jump. Set him up to carry the speed through that

compression right-hander, to the finish.

Now Johan Clarey, this is solid from the Frenchman.

Three greens all the way, he has the measure of the mountains so far. He

is in the hunt for the medals Johan Clarey. If he can hold it together,

that was a smooth flight, excellent landing. Left footed turn to follow

was beautifully executed. 1.03.9. 1.04. He is down, he is out

of the race. It looks innocuous enough as he thumps the snow in

frustration, thankfully off his speed was extinguished before he

arrive at the safety netting. Eric Guay is next to race for

Canada. He is off and running. Looking for the golden double. Guay

already the champion in the super-G last week.

Green all the way for Erik Guay, nothing wrong with this so far, that

is a good jump as well. Full control for Erik Guay. Still green for the

Canadian, 8 hundredth in front of Beat Feuz, massive flight there for

Guay. Slightly lower in the line, recovered well, didn't seem to cost

him any speed. Upper body slightly twisted. Was that a sign that the

brakes were applied? 1:03.9. Only just in the zone. Can't afford a

mistake, has to be absolutely clean. From here, to the foot of the

course. 120 flat. They are starting to celebrate that, the Swiss fans.

Can Erik Guay just squeeze in among the medals? 120.9 through the final

speed trap. Can he beat that? Silver for Guay. Erik Guay into second for

Canada. What a run, what a week for Erik

Guay. Erik Guay had a superb start, but then made a mistake, as he came

round the long right-hander, set up for the wall, just as he disappeared

out of view for a second you saw a ski flip away on him. He didn't

carry the speed down so lost time on that section.

Max Franz, 27-year-old Austrian who was in great on the downhill last

month, before he lost a ski, and lost his chance to challenge for

what was looking like a potential victory.

And the Swiss are starting to get a little concerned, the atmosphere has

changed slightly at the foot of the mountain as they have seen Max

Franz's times come up. The jumps haven't been so clever for Max

Franz, oh, he's flapping, and his knees are pumping in midair. Hasn't

looked anywhere as comfortable some and another shaky landing. A inside

of his full commitment to the course here, but 0.13 off the pace. That

puts him in bronze medal position here, Max Franz. Can he hold it

together, because there are plenty more jumps to come? Smoother there

for Max Franz. Still skiing for bronze potentially. Oh, he's gone

all freestyle. A little spread-eagle and his arms were all over the

place. Max frands for Austria. Can he get it among the medals? He is

into bronze. He snatches a bronze for ace that. The leader Beat Feuz

had a terrible start, schoolboy error he kicked the wand over before

he made his move to start so every racer is quicker on the top section.

Franz was no exception but he made a mistake on the Rommi again, er jump.

That is what cost him his race. -- Rommigeer. Beat Feuz is the champion

of the world. A second medal for Erik Guay with silver today. Franz

the best of the Austrians takes the bronze.

The women's downhill is being contested on the historic course and

as is customary in the build up to any of the women's speed events

Lindsey Vonn has been the centre of attention. What can we expect from

her? She made a fantastic recovery from the broken arm she suffered

last November. Won her second race back in, but a week later she

crashed out, and I think that crash is starting to play with her mind,

and knocked her confidence slightly. And in training she hasn't looked

that good. If she really nails one down she might end up on the podium

but not for the win. One of the people who should have been able to

take advantage was the home favourite but she has broken her

cruciate ligament. Who does that leave? There are two women that have

shining on this course. And it is Ilka Stuhec and Sofia Goggia, they

both have incredibly contrasting styles, Stuhec is so clean, so

smooth, you never see her make a mistake whereas Sofia Goggia likes

to cut the taufrn, flailing off every jump like a mini Franz

clamour. It promises to be an incredible spectacle. We are ready

to run the 2017 women's World Championship downhill.

Weirather away. Already a medallist from the World Championships. She

took the silver in the super-G last week, looking to add to it. For

Liechtenstein. Hugely popular, trains most of her time in

Switzerland, with the Swiss team. So the Swiss fans see her pretty much

as one of her own, and she is having a sensational run here. Tina

Weirather. Long, controlled flight, perfect landing. Nearly half a

second in front. Drifts slightly right. That big bank turn, on to the

next. The final jump and we will have a new leader. Tina Weirather,

into gold medal position, for Liechtenstein.

Laurenne Ross is away for the US. A couple of ten results in the

campaign so far, one hundredth of a second slower than Tina Weirather at

the split. It is a promising start for Laurenne Ross of the US of

America. Their big hope today of course Lindsey Vonn, who starts with

number nine, Ross attacks the middle part of the course. And gets the

green light for her efforts. 14 hundredths of a second faster than

Weirather. Has to keep it clean here, getting bumped round, it is a

challenging bottom section. No time to relax on this course, a massive

flight there. 14 metres. 0.46 in front. The aggression may bring the

rewards for Ross. Laurenne Ross skis for the lead in the World

Championship downhill and gets its it by just under half a second. Ross

into gold for the USA. Ready to race is Sofia Goggia. The

Italian has had a superb season, and is renowned for her fearless skiing

style. By contrast, she is a skier with a literary soul, and loves

reading Shakespeare, when will we three meet again? On the podium of

course. Sofia Goggia, ready to race for

Italy. Couple of green lights. Early in this downhill for the Italian.

Who has never won a World Cup race, but has come so close on so many

occasions. And only knows one way to attack.

That is full speed ahead. The exciting Sofia Goggia, taking

risks on this World Championship downhill run. Has the reward so far,

it is fast from the Italian, 0.37, quicker than the current leader

Laurenne Ross, hand down. Super aggressive ski racing from Sofia

Goggia, she is after one thing today, and that is the gold medal.

0.37 in front. Perfect jump. Almost overcooked it. Landed on the tips of

her skis but recovered well and now has a massive advantage, got her

skis locked in together. She is struggling to stay on her feet. What

a finish from Sofia Goggia, she has got the lead, yes. Two tenths of a

second, lucky to finish at all, finishes in gold medal position.

Stephanie Venier away for Austria. Venier, one of this young crop of

aggressive Austrians who are hugely capable. She has the early

advantage. .22 over Sofia gong ya. -- Goggia. Eke we will seventh is

her best result in the current campaign. 1:02.44. Going yachlt

Venier is faster by a tenth of a second. Remember, Sofia Goggia had

three or four big errors on the final quarter of this run. If Venier

keeps it clean, she might be able to steal gold medal position away from

the Italian. 31 metres in flight. Goes into the red. But only just.

Then drifts. It wasn't the ideal line off the final jump. Stephanie

Venier tux in and goes first. New leader, the Austrian Stephanie

Venier into gold. Next up is Ilka Stuhec who proved her pedigree with

fine wins already this season. When she's not busy racing down the

slopes, she enjoys trekking on horseback through the hills. Can she

gallop to the finish in first place today? Now the World Cup downhill

standings leader, the best downhiller of the season so far. The

winner of three World Cup down hills. Did the double at the start

of December. Backed it up with a win in Val d'Isere just before

Christmas. It's green all the way for the Slovenian whose mum prepares

her skis. .38. Still in front. Just a slight skid sideways. Look at how

calm and relaxed she is over her skis. Goggia has been pushed into

second. Venier leads for Austria. But for how much longer? Ilka Stuhec

is on a roll here. Just into the red zone. Might be able to claw it back.

Takes the final jump. Stands fractionally tall. Has she done

enough? Yes.40. Stuhec's into gold for sleeve Ian ya. The best

downhiller of the season leads the World Championship downhill. --

Slovenia. Scombl Up next is Lindsey Vonn. She won her first World

Championship downhill title back in 2009. She will be looking to repeat

that success here. She's suffered a string of injuries but refuses to

stop chasing history. Will she be the come back Queen here in St

Moritz? Lindsey Vonn is ready to race in the World Championship

downhill. Vonn.21 behind at the inter immediate. Since coming back

from injury, she has registered victory. Vonn took the win in Garmis

h on 21st January. Not going so well here for Lindsey Vonn this morning.

She's a long way off the pace. It looks slightly cautious. No surprise

when you think of all the injuries she's had in the past three or four

seasons. .37 behind. Skiing potentially for third position.

Let's see if she can make up that time on the final third of this

downhill run? Vonn, the American, stands on that left ski. And gets a

little closer to the time of Ilka Stuhec, our leader. Lindsey Vonn,

such a good glider. Can she glide her way into gold medal postings?

Vonn's gone third into bronze. Ilka Stuhec confirms her status as the

world's best downhiller by taking gold in the World Championship.

Lindsey Vonn taking the bronze for the United States. The World

Championships continues this week with every medal race live on the

red button, BBC Sport website and app and connected TV. The men ace

alpine combined starts at 8.15 am. The action concludes on Sunday at

8.35 am with the men's slalom which is our feature race next week on Ski

Sunday. Elsewhere in winter sport, at the World Cup in quay he can

Canada, Britain's Isabel Atkin made it to the final finishing in a

respectable fifth place. Katie Ormerod has just come fourth in the

slope style. Earlier this week at the Paris noble champs in Canada,

Britain's Owen Pick and Ben Moore won in the slalom events. Moore

Moore third in the SBUL. If you're enjoying any snow sport in an alpine

environment, there will be elements of risk taking and physical

exertion. Doesn't matter if you're going uphill or down, you'll be

taking out of your comfort zone which means you need a hint of

adventurous spirit. Graham travelled with our armed forces to find out

why they're icing skiing to get the best out of our armed forces.

Soldiers regular risk their lives for our country. The environments

they work in don't usually require the ability to ski. Interestingly,

the army are using this as part of their developmentment training for

their servicemen and women. I've been invited to a base in

Bavaria to see how it works. Unless I step out of line, thankfully,

there won't be any combat involved. The Armed Forces add Sven rows

training programme covers a range of activities such as rock climbing,

mountaineering, as well as adaptive skiing for wounded or injured

soldiers. From here, we'll cut right. We'll traverse up.

Adventurous train something just another form of military, individual

training. But we use this austere, extreme environment, to put an extra

challenge in. There's an aspiration a third of our regiment will go away

each year and do five days adventurous training. It is part of

the offer which hopefully makes the army attractive to people wanting to

join but it is a training measure that makes them better. It is about

taking them out of their comfort zone, exposing them to risk in a

controlled fashion. More likely do an avalanche scenario. It is

enhanced self-awareness. If they have that, they make better

decisions, they lead better and have a greater all-round ability to

operate in the conditions we need them to.

After a detailed briefing, it's time to head to the mountain. The plan is

to tour to the peak and ski down through the back country. The

reality is these soldiers may need to lead their teams in high pressure

situations. They may never do their day job in the snow, but here,

they're out of their comfort zone learning invaluable transferable

skills. The emphasis is for them to lead the group in a risky and

difficult environment What are the key things they're having to learn?

As well as the technical aspects of skiing and to teach them skiing,

safely travel in the mountains as well as off piste ski kit. Probes

and companion rescue. There's aim on developmental skills. What are you

doucheing in the decision making process in danger? Ski slopes and

snow pack. Getting a feel for what's upped their feet. If they're leading

a group of six people, to space out. We've steep aspects and ultimately

make the right decision. Grab your maps. Work out where we are. Shall

we have a change of route because of radiation on the south facing piste?

Just changed from a southerly aspect to the shaded aspect. The snow's

much colder, much safer travel for us. Out here, there's time to

consider their decisions. Whilst on operations, these soldiers could

face dangerous or life-threatening situations. How they radio act is

vital. This training involves an of a an avalanche exercise. Let's go.

First aid kit. Get him out, get him out quick! Any comments you'd make

about this particular scenario? Started digging maybe slightly too

close to where the casualty was. You can be quite often digging on top of

somebody. It is much more effective to be digging downhill. That's why

we practice these. The more times which practice it, the slicker and

quicker they'll become as a team. The plan is to skin out this track

here to the final bowl towards the top of the mountain.

Ski touring may be scenic but it's exhausting. As we reach the top,

it's another reminder of the physical condition required if you

want to be an effective soldier. So we ski steep slopes one at a

time. Got to have safe practice. I've done my fair share of off piste

safety courses. It is interesting the Armed Forces deem the skills

needed to be transferage to what they need. It's all about putting

people into potentially hazardous environments so they can make the

right decisions under pressure. It's fascinating to see how much snow

sport can offer different people in different situations. Before we

leave you, it's time for ski social. We always ask you to send in your

photos and video. You never disappoint. This week, kicker have

been a strong theme. Dominik caught nine-year-old fearless Millie

perfectly in mid-air. We've one from Superman in the snow park. Nice

cape! And fittingly, we've three-year-old Lillith who has her

sights set on being the next Lindsey Vonn! Alongside your photos and

videos, we need your questions. Send them in using the hashtag Ski

Sunday. What is the coaches and racers discuss during course

inspection? Mostly about the racing line. How much you can cut a turn

off. Of course, if they get it wrong, the coaches can always get on

their radios and make a course report after the first few skiers

have raced. Another diamond from the human mind of alpine information.

Ben also wants to know why do you grab your board? Where do the names

for the grabs come from and how to do them in the snow park? To do

this, I'll needs a snow park and snowboard. Follow me. There are

three reasons to grab your board. It looks good, feels good and it shows

you're in control. This is the mute grab. Front of hand to toe edge.

Once you've got hold of your grab, you can tweak, bone and poke it in

any direction. Just be sure to counter the movement with your

trailing arm and upper body. Nose, roast beef, stale fish. Japan.

They're all grabs. My favourite is the most iconic and stylish of them

all, the method. How's that? More questions like that, please. Whilst

you catch your breath, we've one final request. Next week is the last

show of the series. It has become tradition, we want your suggestions

of music for the closing montage. Your track could be the chosen one.

Send in your suggestions using the hashtag Ski Sunday. We're sticking

around here for the world champions is. We'll brings you more world

class highlights, including Dave Ryding a slalom race. See you then.

Out of the start lap and away. Krystof son is king of the hill.

Dave, the rocket, his second. That's sensational. The first British racer

on a World Cup podium since 1981.