Deborah Compagnoni

Skiing

Deborah Compagnoni has always been the quiet, unassuming contrast to her fellow Italian superstar, the cocky, flashy Alberto Tomba.

In Nagano, she can upstage Tomba by achieving a milestone neither he nor any woman has done: win gold in three successive Olympics.

Invincible for a year in giant slalom, Compagnoni faltered in her last four gate races before Nagano. But everyone, including herself, knows that she will be the one to beat in next week’s giant slalom.

“I haven’t done well in the last races, but I’m here to win,” Compagnoni said.

In Albertville in 1992, Compagnoni won gold in the super-G. The next day, she tore ligaments in her left knee in the GS.

Compagnoni won the GS in Lillehammer four years ago.

She will also compete in slalom in Nagano, but that’s not her best event.

While Tomba has indicated he is close to retirement, Compagnoni said she will definitely be back for another season.