Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 sports
Tuesday 19 december 2017
After nearly 100 races, Olsson finally gets a World Cup win

By ANDREW DAMPF which features the similar
AP Sports Writer discipline of parallel slalom,
LA VILLA, Italy (AP) — After will make its Olympic de-
nearly 100 races spanning but at the Pyeongchang
more than a decade, Matts Games in February.
Olsson finally stepped atop “If I’m unable to win a
the podium of a World Cup medal by myself it will be
event — albeit a non-tradi- a good opportunity with
tional one. my team helping me,” said
The Swedish skier, who was Hirscher, who has won virtu-
a standout junior racer in ally everything in the sport
multiple events a decade apart from Olympic gold.
ago, had never quite lived Kristoffersen moved nine
up to his promise on the se- points ahead of six-time de-
nior circuit. fending champion Hirscher
Until Monday. in the overall standings.
That’s when Olsson upset Hirscher had come into the
favorites Marcel Hirscher race sharing the lead with
and Henrik Kristoffersen in Aksel Lund Svindal, who did
quick succession to win a not enter. In a strong show-
parallel giant slalom for his ing by Scandinavian skiers,
first World Cup victory. skiers from Sweden and
Olsson edged Hirscher by Norway swept five of the
0.05 seconds in the semifi- top six places. Hirscher, an
nal then beat Kristoffersen Austrian, was the only ex-
by 0.03 in the final of the A Sweden’s Matts Olsson reacts in the finish area after winning an alpine ski, men’s World Cup ception.
Alta Badia night race. parallel giant slalom in Alta Badia, Italy, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Kristoffersen, Kilde and Leif
“I didn’t expect it at all. I Associated Press Kristian Nestvold-Haugen,
was hoping to pass a few were a second and a third downhill to go with two back up to the start after who finished fifth, are all
runs. But to go all the way? place in giant slaloms last bronzes in giant slalom. each leg on off-road vehi- Norwegian and Andre
No chance,” Olsson said. season. These days, he races only cles following brief pit stops Myhrer of Sweden came
“But when I beat Marcel Olsson also helped Swe- one event — giant slalom. with their ski technicians. sixth. Myhrer eliminated
in the semifinals then I felt den to a bronze medal in “I had to work like 10 years “It might be a really cool Olympic and three-time
I can do anything, so I was the team event at the 2011 or something,” said Olsson, event for TV and spectators world giant slalom champi-
really confident.” world championships. who made his World Cup and people might make a on Ted Ligety in the open-
Hirscher won the small fi- Back in 2007 and 2008, Ols- debut in October, 2007. “It lot of money for it but I still ing round.
nal for third ahead of Alek- son collected four medals was welcome.” like the traditional stuff,” The men’s circuit travels to
sander Aamodt Kilde. at junior world champion- Needing to complete six Kristoffersen said. “I still like Madonna Di Campiglio for
In 92 previous World Cup ships, including a gold in runs to win in a knockout what I grew up watching.” another night event, a tra-
races, Olsson’s best results combined and a silver in format, skiers were shuttled The nations team event, ditional slalom, on Friday.q

UCF’s Scott Frost wins Associated Press Coach of the Year

By RALPH D. RUSSO place votes. The 42-year-old Frost took
AP College Football Writer Frost took over at UCF two the job as Nebraska coach
Scott Frost is The Associated years ago with the Knights right after the AAC title
Press coach of the year af- coming off an 0-12 sea- game, returning to his alma
ter leading Central Florida son. He got them to a bowl mater and home-state
to an unbeaten season game last season, going school. He has essentially
and a spot in the Peach 6-7. This season, the Knights been doing two jobs since,
Bowl. exceeded all expectations. recruiting for Nebraska and
Frost has already accept- UCF won the American Ath- preparing the Knights for
ed the Nebraska head letic Conference and were the bowl game.
coaching job, but plans to the highest-scoring team in Frost was offensive coor-
complete the season with the country at 49 points per dinator at Oregon before
UCF and coach the 10th- game. taking the UCF job. The for-
ranked Knights against No. “I was very fortunate to mer Nebraska quarterback
7 Auburn. work with a special group is taking over a team that
Frost received 21 first-place at UCF for the last two went 4-8 this season under
votes and 100 points from years,” Frost said in a state- Mike Riley.
57 Top 25 poll voters who ment to the AP. The AP coach of the year
submitted ballots. Kirby “I’ve told them a number was started in 1998. Frost is
Smart of Georgia finished of times that what they the first coach from UCF to
second with seven first- accomplished this season win the award and the sec-
place votes and 55 points. In this Dec. 2, 2017, file photo, Central Florida head coach Scott was nothing short of impos- ond coach from outside a
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney Frost holds the winning trophy after defeating Memphis in the sible. Any honor or award I Power Five or BCS automat-
finished third with seven American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college receive based on what we ic-qualifying conference to
votes and 38 points. football game, in Orlando, Fla. accomplished as a team is win. The first was Gary Pat-
Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley Associated Press a credit to those student- terson of TCU in 2009, when
(four, 36) was fourth and (six), Wisconsin’s Paul Chryst State’s Jeff Tedford (one) athletes. I’m very proud to the Horned Frogs were
Miami’s Mark Richt (five, (three), Iowa State’s Matt and Auburn’s Gus Malzahn have been a part of this members for the Mountain
28) was fifth. UAB’s Bill Clark Campbell (two), Fresno (one) also received first- magical season.” West Conference.q