Canada's downhillers get an unusual entry into their alpine ski racing season Thursday.

The men's speed team opens its World Cup campaign with an American Thanksgiving super-G at Copper Mountain, Colo., instead of a customary downhill.

The first downhill isn't until next week in Beaver Creek, Colo., so super-G gives Canadians and other international racers a chance to test their early-season speed on a shorter course with more turns than downhill.

"Definitely people are keen to have something under their belt before you go to Beaver Creek, which is crazy, crazy steep at some points," said Calgary's Jeffrey Read.

"It's fast with a lot of terrain. You want to be sharp on the skis. There were quite a few crashes and injuries last year in Beaver Creek and people were like 'this is what hap

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