Svindal wins downhill; air bag inflates in Mayer crash (The Associated Press)

Aksel Lund Svindal won the classic Val Gardena downhill for the first time Saturday in a World Cup race that may be better remembered for a safety air bag inflating in the crash of Olympic champion Matthias Mayer. Svindal clocked 1 minute, 54.80 seconds down the Saslong course for a 0.43 advantage over Guillermo Fayed of France. Manufacturer Dainese said it was the first time an air bag was inflated during a World Cup race and International Ski Federation technical expert Gunter Hujara said that the device may have saved Mayer from serious injury.