Torino Olympics 2006

OLYMPIC TRAINING WITH WORLD ELITE SKIERS INVALUABLE

February 26 2006: New Zealand alpine skiing representative Mickey Ross (Oamaru/Wanaka) was looking for a better result in the Olympic men's slalom, but says the experience he has gained skiing alongside the powerful Austrians during pre-Olympic training, has been invaluable.

Ross finished in 31st place after after starting in 60th position in the 97 strong field. But he says a mistake, which saw him fall in the first run, cost him dearly.

"If you  make a mistake you pay for it on a course like this. Because of it I didn't really ski to my potential."

He completed the run in 1.03.30 which put in him in 49th place. A faster more consistent second run, clocked at 54.50, saw him 28th fastest in that run, giving him a combined time of 1.57.8. and an overall placing of 31.

"In the second run I had nothing to lose and I really wanted to make it down. Some of the top skiers had problems and came out of the course."

Ross says the conditions were hard and fast and a bit different from the training conditions.

"I didn't really adapt to them and that's basically experience. The course was fast and the good skiers can let it rip."

Ross says what he will take away from the Olympics is the incredible training alongside some of the world's best, including Austria's Benjamin Raich, who won the slalom gold medal.

"I am coming away from the Olympics a better skier because of the opportunities I have had in training. My times were certainly a lot closer to some of the leading Austrian and Croatian skiers in training than they were in the race itself."

Ross will attend the Olympic closing ceremony before taking a few days off. Next month he will complete in both the Swiss and Austrian National Championships.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: SUE BRIDGWATER

SKI RACING NEW ZEALAND CEO 03 9806868