THE OLYMPICS: WINTER GAMES AT ALBERTVILLE : NOTES

Franz Heinzer of Switzerland showed why he is ranked No. 1 in the world in the men’s downhill as skiers picked up the pace during practice for Sunday’s event.

After Germany’s Markus Wasmeier posted the fastest time in the morning, 1:51.18, to lend more credence to the belief that giant slalom and super-G racers hold an advantage on the Bellevarde course in Val D’Isere, Heinzer scored one for the speed crew with a 1:42.37 on the shorter track used for the combined downhill.

Wasmeier, giant slalom gold medalist at the 1985 World Alpine Championships, had also topped the field Thursday in the first training run with his 1:52.64.

AJ Kitt of Rochester, N.Y., was seventh fastest in the morning, with a time of 1:52.39, moving up from 13th position Thursday. In the afternoon, however, he skied off course about two-thirds of the way down and did not finish.

Kitt’s fate left Tommy Moe of Palmer, Alaska, as the top American in the third run, his 1:44.38 making him the 11th-fastest racer. “I’m real happy,” Moe said. “Now I know I can ski with these guys.”

The women on the U.S. Alpine team will regroup today to begin training for their first event next Wednesday, the combined downhill, but Julie Parisien of Auburn, Me., could be excused if she takes it easy for a while.

Her specialties, the giant slalom and slalom, will not be held until Feb. 19 and 20, which should give her time to heal her broken left wrist and to get a grip on her teeth.

Parisien, who won a World Cup giant slalom last March at Waterville Valley, N.H., lost several teeth in a collision with a recreational skier about three weeks ago, then suffered the wrist injury in a training spill a few days later. She raced last Sunday at Grindelwald, Switzerland, wearing a cast and replacement teeth, and finished fifth in the first run of the slalom. However, she hooked a ski tip during the second run and did not finish.

“I’ve had to ski while trying to protect my wrist and to keep from losing my teeth,” she said, “but otherwise I’m OK.”