U.S. women shine in giant slalom

PIANCAVALLO, Italy – U.S. women skiers established themselves as strong contenders for medals at next month’s Olympics, taking three of the top six spots in a World Cup giant slalom race Monday.

Eva Twardokens was the top American finisher, capturing third place behind winner Carole Merle of France and runnerup Vreni Schneider of Switzerland.

Twardokens was just 0.10 seconds ahead of teammate Diann Rof Twardokens was just 0.10 seconds ahead of teammate Diann Roffe, who finished fourth. Julie Parisien, who raced despite injuries from training last week, was sixth.

It was one of the best showings by the U.S. women’s team in years. The last Olympic title won by an American woman dates back to Sarajevo in 1984, when Debbie Armstrong won the gold in giant slalom.

Roffe, of Potsdam, N.Y., and Twardokens, of Reno, Nev., displayed the form and determination that in 1985 earned them the gold and bronze medals, respectively, in giant slalom at the World Championships in Bormio, Italy.

On Monday, Twardokens was the fourth fastest in the first heat and had the ninth-best time in the second run for an aggregate of 2 minutes, 23.25 seconds. Merle’s winning aggregate was 2:20.82 while Schneider had a time of 2:22.10.

Roffe posted the second-best time in the second heat to make up for a disappointing first run, in which she finished 18th. Her combined time was 2:23.35. Parisien, of Auburn, Maine, clocked 2:23.61.