Skiing angry takes Fischbacher to super-G gold

From Ryan Bangs, Sportsbeat, in Whistler

AUSTRIA'S Andrea Fischbacher admitted she was 'skiing angry' after capturing the Olympic women's super-G title in Whistler.

PODIUM GIRLS: Tina Maze, new champion Andrea Fischbacher and American Lindsey Vonn after the Olympic women's super-G in Whistler (Getty Images)

Fischbacher was frustrated with her performance in the women's downhill earlier this week, when she missed bronze by just fractions.

But she rebounded to give the normally dominant Austrian team - who have been on the receiving end of some heavy criticism back home - their first alpine skiing gold of the Games.

Slovenia's Tina Maze seized silver while downhill champion Lindsey Vonn was forced to settle for bronze.

"It is just a dream, it is just crazy," said Fischbacher.

"It's a dream come true and to be the first Austrian to win in an alpine discipline is just crazy.

"It hurt really bad to miss a medal in the downhill and I had that bit of anger inside me, which I think helped.

"I pushed hard, attacked and was aggressive. Everything had to be perfect and it was."

Vonn insisted she was happy with bronze, claiming talk of a medal sweep was unrealistic.

"Some of the expectations were pretty unrealistic - people were saying I was going to win five medals but I never really bought into that, it was just hype from people," she said.

"I'm a double medallist now and that's something to be proud of.

"Olympic medals are hard to come by, to have two medals now is amazing, it's just as special as a gold medal. 

"It almost looks like a gold medal, but not quite. I'll hang them both next to my bed and cherish them equally.

"There's always new goals that can be set. I had the life goal of gold in my favourite discipline, which I've achieved.

"Now I'm looking to do the best I can in these remaining two events and try to secure another overall World Cup title."

However, the American hit out at organisers, whose scheduled early start time meant some, including Great Britain's Chemmy Alcott, skied in gloomy conditions.

"I was disappointed they brought the time forward," she added. 

"It was completely dark, but it got more and more sunny as the day went on but it was tough on those going early."

 

IN PICTURES: Vonn settles for bronze as Fischbacher scoops super G gold

AS IT HAPPENS: Day nine of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver