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U.S. Tech Skiers
Selection of the Olympic alpine team is based on the Gold Cup and World Cup results. There are four spots per event. Shelley Osterloh takes a look at some other top American Tech Skiers.
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(Jan. 5, 2002)------ Dane Spencer of Boise, Idaho grabbed his first World Cup Top-ten finish in the Giant Slalom on Saturday--- and that means he qualifies for the Olympic team.
With that finish in Switzerland, Spencer became the 11th U.S. alpine skier to attain the highest levels of
Olympic selection criteria.
26 year old Thomas Vonn has gained speed and confidence this past season, and is hoping to put it all together on the Oympics Giant Slalom run.
Vonn's dad was a ski instructor, but he didn't start racing until he was 12.
He says his strength as a competitor is mental.
Thomas Vonn/Alpine Skier: I'M PRETTY RELAXED ON RACE DAY, NOT TOO MUCH PHASES ME. I FEEL PRETTY CONFIDENT. I HAVE A LOT OF SELF CONFIDENCE WHEN IT COMES TO RACE DAY. I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY MY BIGGEST STRENGTH.
Vonn say he's trying to keep his enthusiasm for the Olympics down so he can stay focused on the work at hand, but admits....
Thomas Vonn/Alpine Skier: IT'S A REALLY EXCITING EVENT, WHAT WE'VE WORKED FOR ALL OUR LIVES AND JUST TO BE IN IT -- AND TO WIN WOULD BE EVEN BETTER -- BUT WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT. I AM, ANYWAY.
Casey Puckett hopes to become only the second U.S. male alpine skier to race in four Olympics. This skier does it all-- technical and speed events, and is strong in the combined event.
Every skier runs into some challenges on the course. Puckett says the trick to getting back on track is not letting it rattle you.
Casey Puckett/Alpine skier: JUST TO RELAX, GATHER YOUR BEARINGS, AND GET GOING AGAIN. IF YOU ARE STILL IN THE COURSE YOU HAVE TO REFOCUS.
Sacha Gros is a '98 Olympian making another run for a medal.
The Vail skier grew up enjoying the great outdoors skiing and fishing in Colorado.
His mother is from England, his father from France, so he feels right at home on the European World Cup circuit.
His strength he says, is that he reacts well under pressure and never gives up.
Sacha Gros/Alpine Skier: I MIGHT NOT HAVE THE SAME SKILLS AND TALENT AS OTHER PEOPLE, BUT I GO DOWN THERE WITH A LOT OF HEART AND I TRY TO WIN EVERY RACE I'M IN, AND IT'S ALL IN MY HEART.
The team will be named on January 28th.
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