Giant Slalom, LW2, Women

The LW2 event (LW stands for Locomotor Winter) is for competitors with a severe disability in one leg, which may be a result of an amputation, or arthrodesis in the leg and hip. Its competitors typically use only a single ski, and are supported by two “outriggers”, a ski pole with a small ski on the end.

Although four men’s disabled alpine skiing events had already been held in 1984, this was the first time disabled women skied at the Olympics. Three American women dominated the event, with winner Diana Golden finishing a clear six seconds ahead of the rest. Golden had already competed in the 1980 Paralympics and would win two golds at Innsbruck in 1988, while being disqualified in the slalom. Like the men’s winner, Alexander Spitz, Golden had suffered from bone cancer at an early age and had had her right leg amputated. She died of breast cancer at the young age of 38.