Giant Slalom, Women

Marielle Goitschel was the defending champion and had won the 1966 World Championships. But the favorite was Canada’s Nancy Greene, who in 1966-67 had won the inaugural World Cup in the giant slalom and the overall title. In 1968 the men’s giant slalom was changed to two runs, but the women would continue to have only a single run until 1980 at the Olympics, and it was the last Alpine event of the Grenoble Olympics. Greene had already won a silver medal in the slalom, trailing Goitschel’s winning effort. Off as the ninth starter, the lead was held by France’s Annie Famose when Greene left the starthouse. But Greene dominated the event, besting Famose’s time by 2.64 seconds. The last seeded skier was Goitschel, but she skied poorly for her and placed only seventh.