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Sunday, 26 February 2006 |
Austrian Benjamin Raich wins second Winter Olympics gold
Austrian giant slalom champion Benjamin Raich gained his second gold
medal at the Winter Olympics and led a clean sweep of medals for his
country in the men's slalom in Sestriere.
Benjamin Raich, 27, was in the lead by one-hundredth of a second after
the first run and he kept his nerve on his second run for a real
triumph.
Reinfried Herbst was 0.83secs back in second place and Rainer Schoenfelder came in at third.
Great Britain's Alain Baxter finished 16th, three seconds behind Benjamin Raich, with brother Noel in 20th position.
Alain Baxter was making his Olympics comeback, four years after the
nightmare of losing his bronze medal after failing a dope test in Salt
Lake City.
"There were sections that were good," said Alain Baxter.
"But there were sections where the pattern wasn't quite as I'd like it.
"I've enjoyed the Games. I would have been a little bit happier one
place better, but in one way it was positive for the rest of the
season," Alain Baxter added.
Benjamin Raich, the first sportsman to win two technical
events at the same Games since Alberto Tomba in 1988, said he didn't
feel any pressure.
"The feeling is incredible," said Benjamin Raich.
"Everybody was expecting a lot from me but I had nothing to lose because I already had a gold medal.
"It's unbelievable for me to win two medals here and I think it's a
perfect moment for all the Austrian team," Benjamin Raich added.
This win by Benjamin Raich makes Austria the first country to
win all three slalom medals and their Alpine director Hans Pum said
proudly: "This is the greatest Olympics ever for us."
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Last Updated ( Friday, 03 March 2006 )
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