Kernen sets the pace

Favourites Hermann Maier, Michael Walchhofer and Fritz Strobl all finished well behind Kernen in an attempt to get an early start on Saturday when conditions are expected to be at their best.

"This is no fun," said Maier, who was seventh on Friday.

World Cup leader Walchhofer and Olympic champion Strobl were tied for 19th place. Kristian Ghedina of Italy, who was fastest in Thursday's training, was 10th.

"At the start you're thinking 'Where is the best place to brake?'," said Maier, who won the lightning-fast Kandahar downhill in 2000 and has had two other downhill podiums here.

"This winter the starting number has become decisive," he added on a cold but sunny afternoon in the southern German resort. "I think it's unfortunate. And for television viewers it's just ridiculous."

Kernen, who is eighth in the World Cup downhill standings and whose season's best in seven downhills so far was one fourth place finish, led the field in Garmisch with a time of one minute 58:93 seconds.

He was followed by Peter Fill of Italy, 15th in the World Cup downhill standings, in 1:59.08 and Austria's Andreas Buder, 23rd in the World Cup, in 1:59.45.

Benjamin Raich of Austria, a technical specialist who usually struggles in speed disciplines, took fourth while Daron Rahlves of the United States was fifth. Germany's Johannes Stehle delighted the home crowd with sixth.

"This rule has to be urgently changed and I really mean urgently," said Maier, referring to the practice in the final training session where racers deliberately try to get a spot near the bottom of the top 30.

Walchhofer also said there was something wrong with the current system.

"I've got a pretty good handle on how to jockey for a favourable starting number," said Walchhofer, who won last week's downhill at Kitzbuehel and two downhill events at Garmisch last year.

"It would almost be a shame if they got rid of it now," added the former world downhill champion and one of the favourites for Olympic gold next month. He has two wins and four podiums in the seven downhill World Cup events this season.

Even overall World Cup leader Raich, who is strong in the technical disciplines but not known for his prowess in the speed events, was well ahead of Maier, Walchhofer and Strobl.

"You shouldn't be doing something like this," Raich said.