Getting the lay of the land at Lake Louise
The fastest female skiers in the world take part in training prior to Canada's highest-profile alpine ski race of the season.
Verena Stuffer (L) of Italy and Laurenne Ross of the U.S. warm up before taking their training run for the Women's World Cup Downhill in Lake Louise, Alberta, November 28, 2012.MIKE BLAKE/Reuters
Germany's Maria Hoefl-Riesch, left, and Lindsey Vonn of the USA wait as they prepare for their second downhill training runs at the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta., on Wednesday, November 28, 2012.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Maria Hoefl-Riesch of Germany gets a tune-up on her skis as she prepares for her second downhill training run at the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta., on Wednesday, November 28, 2012.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Maria Hoefl-Riesch of Germany stands at the bottom of the hill after her training run for the Women's World Cup Downhill skiing in Lake Louise, Alberta November 28, 2012.ANDY CLARK/Reuters
Lindsey Vonn of the US prepares for her second downhill training run at the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta., on Wednesday, November 28, 2012.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Anna Fenninger of Austria prepares for her second downhill training run at the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta., on Wednesday, November 28, 2012.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Lindsey Vonn of the USA prepares for her second downhill training run at the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta., on Wednesday, November 28, 2012.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Canada's Larisa Yurkiw prepares to blast out of the start gate during the second women's downhill training run at the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta. Wednesday, November 28, 2012.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Ilka Stuhec of Slovenia prepares for her second downhill training run at the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta., on Wednesday, November 28, 2012.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Elisabeth Goergl of Austria prepares to blast out of the start gate during the second women's downhill training run at the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta. Wednesday, November 28, 2012.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Lindsey Vonn of the USA starts her second downhill training run at the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta., on Wednesday, November 28, 2012.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Jennifer Piot of France starts her second downhill training run at the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta., on Wednesday, November 28, 2012.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Lindsey Vonn of the U.S. leaves the start during alpine skiing training for the Women's World Cup Downhill in Lake Louise, Alberta November 28, 2012.MIKE BLAKE/Reuters
Lindsey Vonn of the United States prepares to blast out of the start gate during the second women's downhill training run at the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta. Wednesday, November 28, 2012.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Dominique Gisin of Switzerland comes out of the start hut during alpine skiing training for the Women's World Cup Downhill in Lake Louise, Alberta, November 28, 2012.MIKE BLAKE/Reuters
Fabienne Suter of Switzerland prepares to blast out of the start gate during the second women's downhill training run at the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta. Wednesday, November 28, 2012.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Andrea Fischbacher of Austria prepares to blast out of the start gate during the second women's downhill training run at the Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup in Lake Louise, Alta. Wednesday, November 28, 2012.Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
Verena Stuffer of Italy and Ilka Stuhec (L) of Slovenia walk down the hill following training for the Women's World Cup Downhill skiing in Lake Louise, Alberta November 28, 2012.ANDY CLARK/Reuters