European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 03, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Wednesday february 3, 1993 sports one stars and stripes v Page 29 world skiing blows into Japan by Bill Scott Morioka Shizu Kunishi Japan up Paul Accola s rapid recovery from knee problems should allow the Swiss skier to attempt an astonishingly Swift return to racing at the world Alpine championships which open today on this wind swept venue. The 1991-92 world cup Overall Champion looked certain to be out of action until Spring after damaging knee ligaments in a fall in december. But Accola will attempt to return after less than one month on the mend. The 26-year-old flew to Japan during the weekend and will try to get Back to race fitness by next week the concluding one of the Competition. Paul could be ready for the slalom and giant Sla Lom said his fitness Trainer  Winkler. But he is not expecting to try the  the 12-Day championships arc being held for the first time in Japan from wednesday to feb. 14. But fears of major logistical problems a miniature version of the Albertville games concern organizers at the site 341 Miles North of Tokyo. The olympic scenario of endless Early morning bus rides could be repeated on a smaller scale at the com petition with Long trips from living quarters to the slopes and Quirky weather conditions among the Poten tial hassles. Economic superpower Japan is currently in favor with the International ski federation which looks for sponsor dollars wherever it can find them and the site was chosen in the mid-1980s As Host. By the time the worldwide recession finally reached Tokyo last year planning was Well underway. Racing starts today with the women s downhill combined and ends 11 Days later with the men s slalom and closing ceremonies. Athletes from a record 45 nations will aim for medals in the classic Alpine disciplines of slalom giant slalom super giant slalom and downhill and the hybrid combined event. Weather could play a major role during the championships. The twin race venues of mount Takakura and mount Kotak Akura Are subject to wind and Low Cloud. Teams have had a taste of local problems during the past two years when world cup events were set for the venue. In 1991, the women sat around for a week waiting to race. Last february the men managed a super a but not a scheduled downhill. Ski technicians Are expected to be the men of the moment. They Are charged with preparing the gear for individual racers and can make or break anyone s chances. These technicians could Well be the key to the Blue ribbon men s downhill set for sunday. Franz Heinzer Winner of three world cup downhills last month expects to have Little or no advantage with out backup in the Swiss ski workroom. Bad weather and wind Are the big problems said american downhill Ace a Kitt of Rochester n.y., pronounces world championship course Boring the 30-year-old downhill King. Things will depend on the servicemen More than on  the japanese downhill courses Are far from challenging. Despite being modified by Swiss designer Bern hard Russi the Man behind the Rattlesnake Chute at Vail and the unique face do bal Levardo at Val d is re the men s run at mount Takakura is More of a gentle Roll than a giant drop. The wind will Tell the Story said american a Kitt during his Only time there. And the course is pretty  4 Overall world cup Leader Marc Girardelli of Luxembourg is in with a medal Chance in All five disciplines. I stand a Good Chance in the , giant slalom and combined events said the austrian born racer. The Morioka fortnight will be do or die for Italy s Alberto Tomba. The technical specialist has been looking towards the championships All season vowing to erase his poor showings of 1989 and 1991. The technical disciplines should be less affected by the conditions than the Speed races. Despite three olympic Gold medals the charismatic Tomba has nothing More than a Bronze in the giant Sla Lom from 1987 to show for his world championship experiences. Tomba has won just once on the world cup circuit this season and his main Competition seems set to come from the Sweden s Tomas Fogdog and Thomas Stang Assinger of Austria. A number of the top women skiers will be missing. Austrian All Rounder Petra Kronburger shocked the skiing world last month by announcing her retirement from the sport leaving her titles in the slalom and combined from Saalbach Austria in 1991 up for grabs. Sweden s olympic giant slalom Gold medallist Purnil la Wiburg who Tore her Achilles Tendon in january and faces months of Tough rehabilitation in order to race again will also be absent. She was joined on the injured list sunday by downhill specialist Sabinc Ginther of Austria who Tore knee ligaments during a practice session in Japan. Moe leads . Assault in downhill training by Mike Clark Shizu Kunishi Japan a the american Down Hillers and the Region s infamous weather arrived tuesday and both took the world Alpine ski championships by storm. Five americans cracked the top 15 in tuesday s training session led by Tommy Moe of Palmer Alaska who blasted Down the 2.2-mile mount Takakura men s downhill track in 1 minute 41.70 seconds. Moe was Only .02 seconds be Hind the Day s Leader Luc Al hand. Of France in adding his name to the list of medal threats for sunday s downhill. Moe s High placing was helped by a change in the weather. After More than two hours of delays training began under a gloomy sky with steady Snow and winds gusts. Moe starting 34th, benefited from a Brief appearance by the Sun which served to Glaze the surface and make it faster. He started one position Back of Auphand. Also helped was Bill Hudson of Squaw Valley calif., who went out 46th and placed fifth in 1 42.68. A Kitt the Rochester n.y., native who is regarded As the top american Down Hiller finished ninth in 1 42.89, a time posted when conditions were at their worst. When he came in As starter no. 13, he was three seconds Clear of All but one racer and that was Switzerland s Daniel Mahrer considered one of the favourites for the Gold medal. Mahrer led Kitt by Only .15 seconds. Rounding out a big american Day were Jeff Olson of Park City Utah in 12lh in 1 43.28 and Kyle Rasmussen of Angels Camp calif., in 14th at 1 43.47. Olson started 42nd and Rasmussen 45th. Training times Are virtually useless in predicting results on race Day especially on a Day when conditions changed so much Over a few moments. Yet Moe s performance did indicate that Man and Mountain have found something in com Mon. It s fairly easy compared to a lot of the downhills i be raced this year but i like this kind of downhill the 22-year old Moe said. It s got four pretty Good sized jumps and the track is Nice and smooth. My goal Here is to get a top 10 finish and anything better than that would just be a Bonus. I be been doing Well in train ing in a lot of downhills but on race Day is the Lime to put it together and that s where i be had some  a top 10 finish would represent a sea. Son Best for Moe whose previous top placing was a 12th at Val Gardena Italy in december. I think on this kind of course you Don t have to do so much thinking so you just go out and put it on autopilot and Hope for the  Mabryer a gliding specialist who was openly critical of the turny downhill course in last year s olympics said this relatively Flat track is just the opposite. Yes sure it s made for me but it will still be very difficult to win Here. You need very fast skis and today they were Good for me. It s very important to have Good equipment  As for the course i d like to see More turns More steeps. But the world championships Are Here it s the Only course they have and you can t change  it was t All Good news for the Ameri cans however. Erik Schlopy of Park City Utah was in serious but stable condition with an injured spine after losing control during a training run officials said. Schlopy took a hard fall coming off of the mount Takakura downhill course s final jump. Air apparently got under his skis forcing him to lose his balance and land on his Back. The 20-year-old was conscious As medics took him by Stretcher from the slope. Organizers announced that Schlopy was still in Shock several hours after the Accident had a lower thoracic fracture of the spine a fractured sternum and minor lung injuries he is nest Likely going to be immobilized with the support of a Back Brace they said in a statement. Chad Fleischer of Vail colo., and Casey Puckett of wheat Ridge colo., also went Down. Fleischer sustained a Cut on his Chin