Marta Bassino qualifies in Giant Slalom for Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang
Thursday 8 February 2018 09:11, UK
Alpine skier Marta Bassino is overjoyed at securing her spot in the Winter Olympics for the first time in Pyeongchang in South Korea in February.
The 21-year-old Sky Sports Scholar from Italy has struggled for form at times this season and suffered a nasty mouth injury in November, but she pulled out all the stops under immense pressure.
Bassino needed top-eight finishes in her Giant Slalom races in Kronplatz, Italy on January 23 and then in Lenzerheide, Switzerland four days later to boost her qualification hopes.
A second spot in the World Cup Women's Combined event behind world champion Wendy Holdener and a podium place was beyond all expectation.
"I've recovered my self-confidence," Bassino said. "I expected so much for this good result and now I can focus on my principal objective - the Winter Olympics!
"It's fantastic. It means I'll participate in my first Olympic Games and I'm really looking forward to being there and giving it my best!"
The Winter Olympics will be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea between 9 and 25 February.
Bassino is part of the 89-strong Italian team competing at the Games with the Sky Sports Scholar from Cuneo in an Alpine Skiing team of 20.
