May 16, 2012
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Buraas wins men's slalomSHIGA KOGEN, Japan (AP) -- In a symbolic changing of the guard, a 22-year-old Norwegian with day-glo orange-red hair won the men's slalom race today, after the great Alberto Tomba abandoned his final Olympics with a sore back.With the mountain shaken by a mild earthquake and the Japanese looking on, Hans-Petter Buraas, who looks as if he made a wrong turn at the snowboard venue, triumphed in the last Alpine event of the Nagano Games. Buraas was easily the best today in the most technically demanding of all ski races, swerving through the closely positioned gates in a virtual dance on skis. Picabo, Tomba, Herminator memorableSHIGA KOGEN, Japan (AP) -- Picabo Street singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" with a gold medal around her neck. Alberto Tomba lying in the snow, grabbing his sore back. Katja Seizinger leaping off the victory stand.Despite days of snow, rain, fog and wind that caused maddening delays and scheduling nightmares, the Alpine skiing events provided some of the most compelling images of the Nagano Games. Street saves skiing for USASHIGA KOGEN, Japan (AP) -- Picabo Street gave the U.S. ski team a gold medal. Caroline Lalive, Alexandra Shaffer and Jonna Mendes gave it a future.The men's team gave it little more than disappointment. MORE HEADLINES Archive of Olympic Alpine Skiing Stories |