CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Chad Fleischer and Picabo Street captured first place in the men’s and women’s Federation Internationale du Ski downhill races Tuesday at Sugarloaf/USA.

Street, from Sun Valley, Idaho, easily beat her competition in the women’s downhill on the tricky, 1.72-mile Narrow Gauge course, posting a time of 1 minute, 24.27 seconds. Finishing behind Street were Megan Gerety (1:25.01) and Bjorn-Roli Kjersti (1:25.74).

Fleischer, of Vail, Colo., took top honors in the men’s downhill with a time of 1:21.41. Fleischer edged out Kyle Rasmussen (1:21.66) and Chris Puckett (1:21.85).

The FIS downhills serve as warmups for the U.S Alpine Championships to be held at Sugarloaf/USA beginning at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

Both Fleischer and Street had nothing but praise for the Sugarloaf run.

“[Narrow Gauge] is the best Nationals course we’ve had in four years,” said Fleischer. “The conditions have been excellent.”

Street won her second race in as many years at Sugarloaf.

“The skiing here is unbelievable,” agreed Street, the silver medalist in the downhill at the 1994 Winter Oympics in Norway. “I’ve always had a good response from the people here.”

Local skiers Forest Carey and Kirsten Clark, both of Carrabassett Valley Academy, each turned in a strong showing. Carey finished sixth in the men’s downhill while Clark took fourth in the women’s.

The Junior National Championships will also be held at Sugarloaf this week, featuring skiers born after Jan. 1, 1977, who are members of the U.S. Rolex Junior Ski Team.