Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Slopes spring eternal for three-time medalist Mancuso

Chris Dufresne Los Angeles Times

SOCHI, Russia – Three-time Olympic medalist Julia Mancuso doesn’t give herself much chance in today’s super-combined event at Rosa Khutor.

It’s the first women’s Olympic Alpine event and, with U.S. star Lindsey Vonn out because of a knee injury, a lot is expected from Mancuso.

Mancuso is feeling creaky, though, and doesn’t know if her body can hold up for three races in one day.

She’ll be more of a threat in the speedier downhill Wednesday and super-giant slalom Saturday.

The super-combined includes a morning downhill and two afternoon runs of slalom.

Slalom gets more difficult the older you get, and Mancuso is 29.

She doesn’t race the event anymore on the World Cup circuit.

“Slalom is kind of like a game of luck,” Mancuso said this week. “Roll the dice and it’s on, roll the dice and it’s off.”

Of course, Mancuso said much the same thing four years ago in Vancouver.

She didn’t like her chances in the combined then, either, and won the silver medal.