Canada's Erik Guay to defend downhill title at world championships

SCHLADMING, Austria - Reigning world downhill champion Erik Guay says he's feeling good as he prepares to defend his title at the world ski championships.

He's looking to extend Canada's downhill success that started when Jan Hudec of Calgary won silver six years ago in Are, Sweden.

Two years later, John Kucera of Calgary claimed the downhill title in Val d’Isere, France and Guay, of Mont-Tremblant, Que., won the title in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, in 2011.

Guay is on a bit of streak himself after winning silver at a World Cup downhill in Kitzbuhel, Austria, a week ago.

The championships begin Tuesday and end Feb. 17.

Men's coach Paul Kristofic says the team has a good mix of proven finishers such as Guay as well as some new faces.