Winter Olympics / Lillehammer '94: Wildest American dreams: Roffe-Steinrotter secures super-giant slalom honours to double ski gold tally for the States - Victory for returning professional skaters
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.WHAT is beginning to look suspiciously like an American Alpine ski juggernaut thundered on yesterday, as Diann Roffe-Steinrotter, put 11 seasons of experience to good use as she won a second major title, in the super-giant slalom, nine years after her first. The unexpected victory occurred 48 hours after Tommy Moe claimed the men's downhill gold medal for a team many thought would do well to earn a ski medal of any hue at the Games. The tally so far: two golds from two races.
Roffe-Steinrotter was the first racer down the 2.03-kilometre Olympiabakken track and set a time of 1min 22.15sec, which no one could touch. Svetlana Gladishiva, of Russia, starting down as late as No 35, came closest, with 1:22.44, and the 18-year-old Italian, Isolde Kostner, from German-speaking Bolzano, took the bronze just one-hundredth of a second behind. Prior to the Olympics, Kostner won the downhill last month in which the Austria's former world champion, Ulrike Maier, lost her life.
Despite a silver two years ago in the giant slalom at Albertville, Roffe-Steinrotter has hardly been burning up the World Cup slopes recently. Her up-and-down career has included a world championship in the giant slalom in 1985 at Bormio, Italy, followed by several years of injuries and an overall 42nd finish last spring. 'In 1985 I was 17 years old and did not know a thing about how to perform,' the American said. 'Now, I know almost everything about how to ski fast. The biggest experience comes in knowing that you have to risk everything in order to win.'
Roffe-Steinrotter called the Games: 'Strange. It's one day, one hill and 1.5 minutes. And whoever skis the best is going to get a gold medal. It doesn't matter if you are a favourite or not. It did not matter to me, I just had to believe in my skiing.'
Roffe-Steinrotter, who will retire at the end of the season, said that Moe's win had been a major boost. 'What an inspiration. He did his job and I took inspiration from it. The Americans came here with no pressure. I think that we are able to relax on the day. This was probably the best race that I've ever skied.'
The runner-up, Gladishiva, said: 'This is the first Alpine medal for Russia and I'm very happy. I was hoping for the top 10, but I thought that this finish was impossible for me.
'This means more to me than the bronze in the downhill at the World Championships of 1991.'
The 22-year-old from Oufa in the Urals, finished eighth in the downhill at the Albertville Games two years ago and has a best of fifth in the World Cup this season. The medal was a reward for years of effort in the sport, which she took up at the age of 11.
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments