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Women's Slalom
November 21, 1998

	Urska Hrovat

Today, a younger generation of ski racers upset the establishment, with veteran racers such as Sweden's Pernilla Wiberg (21 World Cup wins to her credit), Ylva Nowen (defending slalom champion) and Deborah Compagnoni (technical superstar) being sidelined by the Olympians of tomorrow.

Urska Hrovat (SLO) blazed through both runs to win the top spot on the podium in the first women's slalom race of the season. Sabine Egger (AUT) followed in second place, and 16-year-old Janica Kostelic (CRO), who placed fourth in Thursday's GS, laid down a fast, solid second run to place third.

"In Croatia, in tennis, a lot of parents work with their kids and after that they get in a fight. And everyone said, 'you can't train with your father, that's not good.' But I think it is very good for me." — Janica Kostelic

Hrovat has gained confidence with this win after fighting back from an injury in Cortina two years ago. Never before has she started the season so well, and she is looking forward to continuing her success.

"I was injured for the first time in my life," said Hrovat. "It was pretty difficult to take this because I was never used to injuries. But it's happened and I think in one way it gives me a better personality. I think different about skiing. I love it more and I feel so good when I'm healthy... I think the injury makes me more grown up and it was a difficult decision to go for an operation but it was the only way to do it because otherwise I would have to stop skiing."

	Claudia Riegler

Egger's second place finish was another triumph after a difficult year. She just returned to skiing in September after recovering from a back operation in April, so making it to the podium was a special success so early in the season.

"The second run I was a little nervous on the start, but I know if I don't give everything I have then I would be not so good, so I had a good run and I am very happy."

Kostelic's coaches said on Thursday, "If you think she was good in the giant slalom, wait until the slalom." Kostelic considers speed events to be her strongest, but she's proving herself to be a powerful all-event skier at a young age.

	Janica Kostelic

"My favorite is the GS — I like to drive it," said Kostellic, after being carried to the podium by her male teammates. "But I have the best results in the super G and downhill this year."

Kostelic first skied at the age of three with her father, but tennis interested her more than skiing until she was 10. She comes from an athletic family where handball is a favorite sport, but she skis often with her brother (says she can beat him sometimes... maybe if he's sick) and likes to train with her dad.

	Anja Paerson

"In Croatia, in tennis, a lot of parents work with their kids and after that they get in a fight. And everyone said, 'you can't train with your father, that's not good.' But I think it is very good for me," she said.

US skiers rocked today, with four competitors in the top-26 and America's sweetheart Kristina Koznick placing 15th.

Tomorrow the men race their first slalom of the season. It will not be the same without Tomba La Bamba, but we will yell his name all the same.

— Michelle Quigley, Mountain Zone Staff

Hrovat Nails First Slalom Run

Women's Slalom
November 21, 1998, 12:00pm MST
Slovenian Urska Hrovat dominated the first slalom run today 1.10 seconds ahead of Australia's Zali Steggall. Hrovat, 23, placed 5th in the GS here two days ago and tore up this difficult slalom course the whole way down. Steggal, who won here in Park City last year and took the bronze in Nagano, held second place behind Hrovat for the entire run on a course that claimed many casualties.

Deborah Compagnoni (ITA), who won the silver in Nagano, showed her strength on the difficult upper section of the course which took out 19 racers, including gold medalist Hilde Gerg (GER). Compagnoni attributed her good first run to a steep, difficult first half — it is the type of skiing at which she excels. Her strength is not so much the flatter terrain, but she hammered the upper course, setting herself up for a great run to tie for sixth with Kristina Koznick (USA).

Defending slalom champion Ylva Nowen (SWE) is currently in 15th place after losing time in the second half of the course.

Women's Slalom
Top-10 Results (FIRST RACE ONLY)

1. Urska Hrovat (SLO) 49.67
2. Zali Steggall (AUS) 50.77
3. Alenka Dovzan (SLO) 51.03
3. Trine Bakke (NOR) 51.03
5. Sabine Egger (AUT) 51.15
6. Kristina Koznick (USA) 51.26
6. Deborah Compagnoni (ITA) 51.26
8. Martina Ertl (GER) 51.28
9. Pernilla Wiberg (SWE) 51.30
10. Anja Paerson (SWE) 51.38