BEAVER CREEK, Colo. -- Hermann Maier paced a World Cup downhill training run Thursday, another step in his remarkable comeback from a severe leg injury.

The star Austrian was timed in 1 minute, 41.14 seconds on the demanding Birds of Prey course, beating Norway's Bjarne Solbakken (1:41.23).

Austrians Peter Rzehak (1:41.33) and Klaus Kroell (1:41.42) were third and fourth. Daron Rahlves of Sugar Bowl, Calif., was fifth (1:41.70).

Austria's Stephan Eberharter, the defending World Cup overall and downhill champion, was eighth in 1:41.90. Bode Miller of Franconia, N.H., runner-up in last season's overall standings, placed 19th in 1:42.56.

Thursday's run was the lone training run in preparation for downhills Friday and Saturday, with a super giant slalom to follow Sunday. Friday's race is a makeup of a race scheduled for next week in Val d'Isere, France, but called of because of warm temperatures.

Maier, a double Olympic gold medalist and three-time World Cup overall champion, missed almost two seasons after a 2001 motorcycle accident in which he nearly lost his right leg.

Maier won one race last season, a super-G in Kitzbuehel, Austria, and he won again Sunday in a super-G at Lake Louise, Alberta.

Maier, still experiencing numbness in his right leg, is encouraged by his win last weekend and Thursday's training run.

"It gives me more confidence, and I need that, for sure," he said. "This is a very dangerous course, very tough. You have to ski good technique and have good concentration."

Marco Sullivan of Squaw Valley, Calif., injured his right knee after he was caught by a gust and fell. He was taken to the Steadman Hawkins Clinic.