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Women Speed Skiiers
Internationally, the Austrians dominate alpine skiing. But Americans have proven then can make it to the podium, and all it takes is one good race on just the right day.
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(Feb. 2, 2002)------Austrian Renate Goetschl may be the medal favorite. But when it comes to women's speed skiing, super G is America's strongest event, with four women who have a shot at the medals. Shelley Osterloh reports.
Kirsten Clark and Caroline Lalive both have top three World Cup finishes.
Jonna Mendes clinched a spot on the Olympic team with a top-10 finish.
The fourth spot goes to Katie Monahan, who has two
top-20 finishes.
Kirsten Clark may be the best hope for a medal in the downhill.
Clarky as she's known, started skiing at age 3, and was racing by the time she was 7.
Teammates have called her a "team mediator" rather than a team leader, because she is a friend to everyone.
Her coaches say she is one of the hardest workers on the team.
Her success on the World Cup and at World Championships proves she can make it to the Podium.
Kirsten Clark/U.S. Skier: THE OLYMPICS, IT COMES DOWN TO THAT ONE DAY, THAT ONE RACE. YOU HAVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING THERE.
Clark says she is not a daredevil. She likes to be in control. And she wants to control her destiny in the Downhill and Super G.
Caroline Lalive competes in all five alpine events, and does it all well.
She is the 2000 U.S. Champion in the
slalom and the combined events, and placed seventh in the 1998 Olympic combined event.
She says the Women's Alpine team has never been stronger.
Caroline Lalive/U.S. Skier: THE MOMENTUM IS REALLY GOING WITH THE TEAM AND I THINK WE SHOULD ALL CAPITALIZE ON THE STRENGTH THE TEAM IS GAINING. IT'S A PERFECT TIME. NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT.
Few skiers have the strength and commitment to ski in all events. But Lalive does it all, and is considered a medal favorite.
Jonna Mendes was just 18 when she qualified for the 1998 Olympics. Now she's got a new goal.
Jonna Mendes/U.S. Skier: I WAS JUST TOO YOUNG AND TOO INEXPERIENCED. SO NOW I'M HOPING TO TAKE MY EXPERIENCE FROM JAPAN, BRING IT TO SALT LAKE AND USE IT TO MY ADVANTAGE, AND MEDAL.
And watch out for a couple of other young U.S. speed skiers-- both just 17 years old.
Lindsey Kildow of Vail, and Julia Mancuso of Sqaw Valley, both rising stars hoping to have one perfect run that will win them a medal.
Eleven women are on the U.S. Alpine Ski team. And they'll compete in five events.
Do you remember which ones they are?
Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super G, Downhill and the Combined.
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