ALPINE SKIING: Ski Cross bronze medallist Louis Muhlen had the form to produce a top alpine result in the Giant Slalom at the Youth Olympic Games but it wasn’t to be.
He was on track through the first three-quarters of the course on Hafjell but when he came into view of the finish line at the top of the final hill he caught an edge and couldn’t recover to get around to the next gate.
The 17-year-old from Melbourne was disappointed but knows it is part of being a ski racer chasing a good result and not the effect of doubling up in the ski cross.
“My legs are a bit tired after ski cross but I felt like I was skiing really well today until I caught the edge,” Muhlen said.
Coach Johannes Hassler was frustrated for his young athlete.
“He was skiing so well for three-quarters of the course but when he got that edge there is nothing he could have done but straighten up and miss the gate,” Hassler said.
Only 37 of the 60 athletes were able to complete the two Giant Slalom runs. American River Radamus won his third gold medal for the Games.
The final individual event for Muhlen is the Slalom on Friday. He was 29th in the Super G and 17th in the Super Combined on Day 3, before causing the hug upset in ski cross.
Andrew Reid
olympics.com.au
