Alberto Tomba

Skiing

Alberto Tomba has arrived. Let the 1998 Winter Olympic Games begin.

Tomba, the dashing Italian skier who once started a gold-medal press conference by declaring “Congratulations to me!,” arrived in Nagano Thursday and promptly held a packed press conference to talk about his past, his future, his qualifications for a wife, and his shot at another gold medal to add to the five Olympic medals - three gold, two silver - he has won in his previous three appearances at the Games.

“Basically, many people follow me, they love me, they care about me,” Tomba said, referring to his popularity here despite the fact that he’s never had any luck racing in Japan. “Last year (at the World Championships) things did not go that well. Let’s see what goes on next week. I’m hopeful.”

Tomba is entered in the men’s super giant slalom and slalom, which are scheduled to be run today and next Friday, respectively. And, as he explained Thursday, after he’s finished with these Olympics - his last - he’d like to enter the marriage sweepstakes. Apparently, “La Bomba” is slowing down.

“I’m 31 years old and I’m making plans for the future,” said Tomba, who suggested that he would like to direct or produce films. “And I do hope to find the right girl at this point.”