The Stars At Cortina

During the past 10 months the skiers, skaters and bobsledders of 32 nations have raced through difficult and often dangerous tryouts to reach the Olympics. For most of the stars on the following pages, like Andrea Mead Lawrence (right), winner of the Olympic slalom and giant slalom in 1952, the trials were little more than a formality. A few of the top competitors, however, were knocked out along the way by injuries. But for the 1,200 who reached Cortina, the real battle was ahead. For, at the end of the 11 days of competition when the winners stand up to be counted, only 24 gold first-place medals will have been given out.

ALPINE SKIERS

ANDREA MEAD LAWRENCE, U.S.
First American to win gold ski medal (1952); still considered world's top woman skier.

CHIHARU IGAYA, JAPAN
Dartmouth Student Igaya, twice U.S. slalom champion, will ski for Japan at Cortina.

ANDERL MOLTERER, AUSTRIA
Best skier in world last year, Molterer heads the powerful Austrian Alpine squad.

PENNY PITOU, U.S.
U.S. Junior champion in downhill, slalom and combined last season, 17-year-old Pitou rates with Teammate Betsy Snite as possible successor to Andrea Lawrence.

RALPH MILLER, U.S.
Won U.S. downhill in 1953; slalom in 1955. Rated most accomplished skier on the U.S. squad.

GUILIANA MINUZZO-CHENAL, ITALY
Winner of women's slalom at 1955 Kandahar, Italy's best hope for an Olympic medal.

PUTZI FRANDL, AUSTRIA
Won Kitzbuehel slalom, Austrian giant slalom and Alpine Combined at Meg�ve in 1955.

INGER JORGENSEN, NORWAY
Won Canadian women's slalom 1955; best Alpine skier on a team strong in Nordic events.