Slalom, Women

In the first run, France’s Marielle Goitschel was the leader, followed by her sister, Christine. Marielle was the better known skiier, having won silver in the slalom and a gold in the combined at the 1962 World Championships. But neither was the favorite, as the Austrian fans rooted on Marianne Jahn, World Champion in 1962 in both slalom and giant slalom, and runner-up in the combined. But Jahn had a horrible Olympics, placing 13th in the giant slalom, and she fell on her first slalom run, not finishing. On the second run, Christine Goitschel posted the fastest time with 46.01, which was more than 1½ seconds better than her sister, and moved her into first place. She would win the gold medal, with Marielle taking silver. American Jean Saubert had the next best second run to move up to third and win a bronze medal. Two days later in the giant slalom, the same threesome would mount the podium again, with Marielle winning gold, and Christine and Saubert tying for the silver medals. Marielle Goitschel would continue skiing at the highest level, winning World Championships in 1966 in giant slalom and combined, and winning the Olympic gold medal in this event in 1968. Her 11 World medals is second all-time only to Christl Cranz. In 1967-68, in the first seasons of the World Cup, she was downhill champion in 1967 and slalom champion in both years. Christine Goitschel also continued competing but with less success, partly due to a broken ankle in 1966.