Appearing in his first Olympics and in only his second slalom of the season, Ross Green (25, Falkirk) achieved an amazing 15th place in yesterday¹s Men¹s Combined in Salt Lake City.

Green was initially disappointed with his downhill run, which was almost a second slower than he had been in practice, with the shade and light snowfall making visibility more difficult. However, the run left him placed in 30th from 47, leaving the two slalom runs to complete, which for the first time ever in Olympic history would take place that same afternoon.

Having concentrated on speed events this season, Green¹s only slalom outing was at the British Championships in Saalbach this January. Nonetheless, his blistering 1st slalom run was the run of this career, and left him in 18th position with one run to go.

The tougher, more technical 2nd course proved more of a challenge for Green, yet despite his slalom inexperience he completed the run to ski into 15th place, the best Olympic combined placing for a British skier in a decade.

Green said, 'I was really down after my first run. I expected to be better in the downhill element of this event, but my first slalom run felt great and suddenly I was having fun. I have never performed on this big a stage. You can¹t hear the crowd when you race downhill, but the roar as I approached the end of the slalom was amazing. I am delighted with today¹s result and feel that my form is coming together at just exactly the right time.'

The race was won by race favourite and all-rounder Aamodt.

Men's Combined, Salt Lake City, 13 February 2002

Gold - AAMODT, Kjetil Andre 1:38.79(1) 46.88(5) 51.89(4) 3:17.56 --
Silver - MILLER, Bode 1:41.23(15) 46.88(5) 49.73(1) 3:17.84 +0.28
Bronze - RAICH, Benjamin 1:41.05(13) 46.30(3) 50.91(2) 3:18.26 +0.70

15 - GREEN, Ross 1:43.30(32) 49.97(15) 55.84(16) 3:29.11 +11.55

Useful Links:
Salt Lake City 2002: Schedule of Events
Official Site

Alpine Event Summary (12/02/02)
Opening Ceremony Report (11/02/02)
Chalet Girl Olympian (07/02/02)
Special Salt Lake Update (04/02/02)
British Alpine Team (04/02/02)
Soccer at Winter Olympics? (December 2001)
Security increase at Salt Lake City (November 2001)
Salt Lake games to go ahead (September 2001)
No booze at Olympics? (March 2001)

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