Mogul skiers win first gold medal

Web posted February 11, 1998

By Dennis Sodomka
Morris News Service

NAGANO -- Jonny Moseley broke the U.S. Winter Olympic medal drought with a dramatic gold medal run in the moguls freestyle ski race that brought the screaming crowd to its feet Wednesday.

The leader after the preliminary runs, Mosely left no doubt that he would do whatever he had to for a gold medal. He threw in two difficult jumps, including his signature 360-degree mute grab that no one else has landed in major competition.

"This is incredible,'' said Moseley after winning the first U.S. medal in the 1998 Winter Olympics. "I never thought this would happen. I fought real hard for this. It's great to live in a country like the U.S. where dreams come true.''

The last skier down the tough Iizuna Kogen course in the finals, Moseley knew he needed a great run to win the gold. He refused to ski cautiously and attacked the course at every turn. His time of 25.10 was the second fastest in the finals.

With two women in the top four after the preliminary runs, Americans had high hopes for medals in that event, but both Donna Weinbrecht and Liz McIntyre slipped out of contention. Japan's Tae Satoya thrilled the home crowd by winning gold after starting from the 11th position. Tatjana Mittermayer of Germany was second and Kari Traa was third. Weinbrecht was fourth and McIntyre eighth. Moguls skiing is decided on a combination of time down the mountain and judges' scores from two jumps. Time is important, but the aerial moves win championships. In the 360 degree mute grab Moseley does a helicopter spin while reaching back to grab the inside edge of his skis. From behind it looks like an iron cross. Moseley's score of 26.93 was almost a full point ahead of the silver medalist, Janne Lahtela of Finland, who had a 26.00. Sami Mustonen of Finland was third with 25.76 points.

Moseley, 22, has been the hottest racer on the World Cup circuit the last few years, winning overall titles in 1995 and 1996. This season he has won three gold medals and is the overall leader.

Earlier in the week Moseley had talked about how he thrived on the pressure that comes with being the best in his sport. "I feel the pressure of being on top, but I like that,'' he said. "It gives me confidence. I don't think I was ever at the top skill level, but I was at the top in competing. I thrive on situations like this.''

He also loves the yelling crowds and loud rock music blaring at the competitions.

"I used to try to block it all out,'' he said. "But now because I'm so comfortable with my skills I love the crowd. I breathe it all in and it comes out in my skiing.''