Italian skier Marta Bassino just missed out on the medals at the Winter Olympics with a magnificent show in the Giant Slalom in South Korea.
After three days of high winds had forced the postponement of the event from Monday and the regular slalom on Wednesday, conditions were ideal for competition at the Yongpyong Alpine Center on Thursday.
Bassino, 21, showed no nerves on her Olympic debut as she battled to fifth place, with American Mikaela Shiffrin and Norway’s Ragnhild Mowinckel winning gold and silver.
Team-mate Federica Brignone won Italy’s fourth medal of the Pyeongchang Games with bronze, while Germany’s Viktoria Rebensburg was fourth.
Bassino, who finished 0.67 seconds behind champion Shiffrin, said: “I’m super happy with my fifth place, because I skied with soul, heart and all of myself. A magical day – unforgettable.
“It was probably the most difficult race I have ever done. The atmosphere in the start area was tough and all the girls were focused and concentrated, more than during a normal World Cup race.
“You know that in the Olympics only the podium count and the one who makes less mistakes wins. I tried my best, more than ever, and I can feel satisfied with my performance.
“I know that the podium was possible but a fifth at my first Olympics is a great result. I did make some mistakes but I do feel i was very close to a bigger result.”
Bassino will next compete in the Slalom on Friday and the Super Combined.
She added: “I now have to think about the other two events. So let this dream continue!”
