Finally, an Alpine Gold
In a surprising turn of events, Ligety wins one of only four U.S. Alpine gold medals ever.
By Marvin Weinrick, Scholastic Kids Press Corps
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Superstar skier Bode Miller, who was solidly in first place, was disqualified for straddling a gate during his first slalom. But his disappointment turned to gold for Ted Ligety, whose combined time for the three events was 3:09.35.
Ivica Kostelic of Croatia came in behind him with a time of 3:09.88 to win the silver. The bronze went to Austrian Rainer Schoenfelder with a time of 3:10.67.
Benjamin Raich of Austria was a strong favorite to win but skied off course during the last slalom of the day. That led to a jubilant celebration for the U.S. team at the finish line.
"It's incredible," Ligety said. "I can't believe it [happened] in combined because I'm not very good in downhill."
Although the Ligety win was a surprise to most—he was 32nd after the downhill—it wasn't to his coach, Phil McNichol.
"I'm not surprised he's on the podium," McNichol said. "I'm a bit surprised he won gold."
The win was significant for the Americans. It is only the fourth gold medal ever to go to the U.S. in men's Alpine skiing.
