India’s Arif Mohammad Khan Finishes 39th in Men’s Slalom Event at Milan Cortina Winter Olympics
Arif Mohammad Khan, India’s top alpine skier, showcased his skills at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games, finishing 39th in the men’s slalom event after completing two runs. With a combined time of 2 minutes and 41.60 seconds, Khan secured the last spot among competitors who finished both runs at the Stelvio Ski Centre, marking India’s best-ever finish in the men’s slalom event at the Winter Olympics.
During the first run, Khan ranked 44th out of 96 competitors with a time of 1:22.12. In the second run, he improved his performance, finishing 39th with a time of 1:19.48. His overall combined time of 2:41.60 earned him the 39th position, surpassing the previous best finish by an Indian man set by Kishore Ratna Rai at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.
Despite his impressive performance, India’s best slalom finish at the Winter Olympics remains with Shailaja Kumar, who finished 28th in the women’s event in Calgary 1988 with a time of 2:52.27.
Loic Meillard of Switzerland clinched the gold with a time of 1:53.61, leaving Khan 47.99 seconds behind. Fabio Gstrein of Austria secured the silver with 1:53.96, while Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway claimed the bronze with 1:54.74.
Although Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history by winning the giant slalom event, his attempt to secure another gold in the slalom event fell short as his ski slipped on the first run.
Slalom, known for its high-speed and technical challenges, requires competitors to navigate a zigzag course marked by gates. It is the fastest-turning event in alpine skiing, demanding quick and precise turns to achieve the best combined time.
Each competitor receives two runs, with the final rankings based on the total time from both attempts. Missing gates or crashing off course results in disqualification, impacting the skier’s final classification.
This marked Arif Khan’s second appearance at the Winter Olympics. In Beijing 2022, he faced challenges in the men’s slalom but secured the 45th position in the giant slalom, marking India’s best finish in the event at the Winter Olympics.
Turning to crowdfunding for his Winter Olympic participation, Khan showcased determination and passion for the sport. India’s campaign at the Winter Olympics concluded following Khan’s event, with Stanzin Lundup finishing 104th in the men’s 10km freestyle cross-country skiing event.
