WENGEN, Switzerland -- Erik Guay was fastest in World Cup downhill training yet again Thursday. Darcy Tucker Authentic Jersey . The Canadian racer extended his streak of winning a training run at each downhill venue this season, timing 2 minutes, 36.14 seconds on the 4.42-kilometre (2.75-mile) Lauberhorn. "I feel like my training runs have been very consistent since the start. Now Im slowly translating those fast speeds into race days," said Guay, who won last month in Val Gardena, Italy. Matthias Mayer of Austria was second, 0.11 behind, and Kjetil Jansrud of Norway was third, 0.31 behind. "Its not often Ive been fast in Wengen and Ill take this," Jansrud said. Guay, the 2011 world downhill champion from Mont-Tremblant, Que., is among several contenders who have found success elusive at the storied Swiss venue. Neither he nor Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway, who leads the World Cup downhill standings ahead of Guay, has ever finished on the podium in Wengen. Svindal, the 2010 Olympic silver medallist in downhill, was ninth Thursday, trailing by 1.18 seconds. Bode Miller of the United States, a two-time Lauberhorn winner, was 10th, 1.67 behind, and Carlo Janka, the 2010 winner from Switzerland, was 13th despite a bib number of 39. Manuel Osborne-Paradis of North Vancouver, B.C., was tied for 21st, Robbie Dixon of Whistler, B.C., was 39th and Jeffrey Frisch of Mont-Tremblant was 54th. Ben Thomsen of Invermere, B.C., was 58th, Conrad Pridy was 64th and Morgan Pridy, also from Whistler, was 84th. Most racers will get another look at the course on Friday afternoon in the downhill portion of a super-combined event. The slalom leg is scheduled first in the morning when snow is forecast. Joffrey Lupul Authentic Jersey . The Texas Rangers right-hander will probably reconsider now. Wolf pitched five strong innings for his first big league win in his first start in the majors, David Murphy and Adrian Beltre homered in a three-run first inning, and the Rangers avoided a sweep with a 3-1 victory against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday. Jonathan Bernier Leafs Jersey . -- The Anaheim Ducks realize theyre in for plenty of tight defensive games in the next seven weeks while the rest of the NHL attempts to catch them atop the standings.VIERA, Fla. -- Ryan Zimmerman and the Washington Nationals are closing in on a new long-term contract and expect to finalize their agreement Sunday. The two sides talked late into the night, making enough progress for Zimmerman to extend a Saturday deadline that coincided with the start of full-squad workouts. The 27-year-old third baseman wants to get a deal done or shelve the talks for now so his contract situation wont be a distraction to the team, which has high hopes in the NL East this season. "We dont have a deal done yet but we made significant progress," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said in the press box at Space Coast Stadium. "There are small details we have to iron out ... but we feel good and optimistic that Zim will be a Washington National for a very, very long time." Zimmerman has two seasons left on a $45 million, five-year contract but wants to remain in Washington for the long haul. The main sticking point appeared to be the sluggers desire for a no-trade clause, or at least some assurance that he wouldnt be dealt by the only team hes played for in the big leagues. "We have made significant progress on an extension for Ryan that would ensure he plays for the Nationals for a long time, which has always been Ryans goal," said Zimmermans agent, Brodie Van Wagenen. "We are working on a structure that will allow the team to continue to add talent and establish a winner which is another goal of Ryans." Like Rizzo, the agent wass confident that a deal would be finalized. Tyler Bozak Authentic Jersey. "While there are still important aspects to work through, we bridged multiple important gaps on many major parts of a contract," Van Wagenen said. "Nothing is done until it is done, but both sides are optimistic that an agreement can be reached and Ryan can focus his energies on preparing with his teammates for the season." The Nationals want to lock Zimmerman up so he can play alongside No. 1 draft picks Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper. "All along, all Ive wanted is to be able to stay with the Nationals, which I consider my hometown team, and help the franchise become a winner while also being compensated fairly," Zimmerman said in a statement. "Im from Virginia, I was drafted by the Nationals and Ive seen this organization make great progress since I signed here. I want to see it through to the ultimate goal of winning a World Series." Zimmerman was the teams first draft pick after the Montreal Expos moved to Washington in 2005 and quickly became the face of the franchise. Hes been an NL All-Star, while also capturing Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. Last season, Zimmerman was limited by injuries to 395 at-bats. He hit .289 with 12 homers, 21 doubles and 49 RBIs. "Hopefully well iron out all the details we need to put this thing to bed," Rizzo said. "I dont see any major stumbling blocks, just more detail-oriented work that needs to be done." wholesale jerseyscheap jerseys ' ' '
