Super woman

Italian Ceccarelli wins women's Super G

Daniela Ceccarelli posted a winning time of 1 minute, 13.59 seconds. AP

SNOWBASIN, Utah (AP) -- Daniela Ceccarelli picked the perfect spot for her first international victory, winning the Olympic women's super giant slalom on Sunday.

The 26-year-old Italian finished the winding Wildflower course in 1 minute, 13.59 seconds. The slope's sharp twists and turns kept the racers on the edge of their skis for much of the race.

"I only tried to ski well and do my best," said the surprise winner.

"It was a perfect run," Ceccarelli said. "When I finished and looked at my time, I thought: 'Oh, it's the best one!'"

Janica Kostelic of Croatia, who won the combined event on Thursday, finished 0.05 behind Ceccarelli for her second medal in four days. Italy's Karen Putzer won the bronze.

"After my gold in the combined, I felt completely relaxed. You always ski better when you're relaxed," said the 20-year-old Croat.

Ceccarelli said she owed her victory to her dad, Roberto, a retired fighter pilot.

"This love for speed and adrenaline comes from him. Since I was a child he encouraged me to believe in myself," she said. "The passion was transferred to me from my parents. On my own, my only merit is that I have dared to dream."

Ceccarelli, a military policewoman who never finished in the top five of a World Cup race before this season, seemed stunned when she looked at the finish-area scoreboard showing she had moved into first place.

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"This is a big surprise, even though when I was coming down I knew I was doing well," Ceccarelli said. "I still don't believe what I've done. The performance is still fresh, but the accomplishment is a dream."

Ceccarelli, whose ski-crazy parents honeymooned on a glacier, grew up in a suburb of Rome -- hours from the nearest ski area. She left home at the age of 15 to join a ski club.

Her story is similar to that of her Italian compatriot, slalom great Alberto Tomba, who grew up in industrial Bologna.

A military policewoman who never finished in the top five of a World Cup race before this season, Ceccarelli seemed stunned when she looked at the finish-area scoreboard showing she had moved into first place.

"I didn't expect her to win the gold. I don't think anyone did," said Austria's Alexandra Meissnitzer, who finished fourth. "It's kind of crazy here."

The race was missing two Super-G champions.

Picabo Street, the 1998 Olympic gold medalist, failed to make the U.S. Super G team and announced her retirement after Tuesday's downhill. Reigning world champion Regine Cavagnoud of France was killed in an October training accident.

Pernilla Wiberg of Sweden, who finished 12th, said it probably was her last race in a career that has included three Olympic medals and six world championship medals.

 

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