The Best Skier of All-Time?

ALBERTO TOMBA



Continuing our special focus on the past Winter Olympics from the 20th Century, it was only a matter of time, before we turned to quite simply, the most premier of the Winter and Alpine sports which is skiing. Now Skiing is broken up in different styles of event, featured in this short clip, is one of the most powerful and impressive skiers of all time, Italian Alberto Tomba, at the ultimate peak of his career, winning the gold medal for the Giant Slalom event, and the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Although the commentary is in Italian, that is only second fiddle to the visual aspect of "Tomba la Bomba", mastering the course with great skill in this nice, short clip.

Alberto Tombo, from Castel de Britti, near Bologna won 2 gold medals at the Calgary Olympics for both the "Slalom" and the "Giant Slalom", following a decent Bronze from the 1987 World Championships. He later won another gold medal for the Giant Slalom event and a silver at the regular Slalom, at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics. His career declined after this year, and only just managed to win a silver for the Slalom at the 1994 Lillehammer event. He peaked once again 1995, with an impressive winning streak and won the World Cup title for the Giant Slalom. Afer a dismal performance at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, including a non-finish (crashing), he hanged up his boots for retirement.

Although it's pretty much the same aspect as Skiing down a hill, there is some difference between the Alpine sports of Downhill, Slalom, Giant Slalom and Mogul Skiing.

Downhill is one of the faster disciplines, starting from the mountain top or "piste", and make your way through the "Gates", which are the gaps between 2 level flags on a flexible pole-like thingy. The ski lengths are larger, hosting more exhilarating speeds than "Slalom".

Slalom is means to zigzag between obstacles. The course is much like Downhill, but the gates are more plentiful and smaller gaps between the gates, so the turns are more trickier. Men's Slalom has more gates than women's skiing.

Giant Slalom is simply the same as Slalom, but the gaps between gates are slightly larger. There is also "Super-G Slalom"...well, that's easy to find out for yourself!

Mogul Skiing is a mix of freestyle and downhill, but this is nowhere near as fast as Downhill. The skiers perform 2 jumps in the battle for points, which involves aerial skills and acrobatics. They then land of very bumpy terrain, and the important factors are not only speed, but keeping your balance.