Steyn crashes

Sport
Luke Steyn failed to complete his first run in the men’s slalom after he lost control and straddled a gate at the Rosa Khutor Alpine Center in Sochi

ZIMBABWE’S sole Winter Olympian Luke Steyn failed to complete his first run in the men’s slalom on Saturday after he lost control and straddled a gate at the Rosa Khutor Alpine Center in Sochi, Russia on Saturday.

Steyn faced difficult conditions in his second and final event at the Winter Olympics and had done well for the majority of the steep slope before losing control.

He was one of the 40 competitors in the large field of 117 who failed to complete the men’s slalom event including American star skier Ted Ligety, who won gold medal in the giant slalom race last Wednesday.

“Well that was a tough race, straddle on the flat. Well done to everyone who finished,” Steyn posted on in his Twitter account after the race. Mario Matt of Austria won the gold medal. Matt posted the best time in his first run and was able to hold off fellow countryman Marcel Hirscher, who took home silver. Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway finished third to win bronze.

Veteran sports administrator Kathy Lobb, who is the chéf de mission for Zimbabwe commended Steyn for putting on a brave effort in tough conditions.

“Well done to Luke for a really brave effort on a very tough course. Of the 117 starters 40 people did not finish the first run. Luke did well to get down two thirds of the run before he straddled a pole just after coming over the last crest.

“The second run was even tougher as I am sure those who watched picked up with many of the top skiers failing to make it. I think we can all agree Luke did Zimbabwe proud in our first Winter Olympics and we now hope more Zimbabweans will come forward for the next games in South Korea in 2018,” Lobb said.

Swimming icon Kirsty Coventry, who is also in Sochi as an International Olympic Committee ambassador, commended Steyn on Twitter, saying she was looking forward to seeing him at the next edition of the Winter Olympics.

The 2018 Winter Olympics will be held in the South Korean city of Pyeongchang.

“Zimbabwe’s Winter Olympian Luke Steyn did not finish. A great effort by him and we hope to see him at Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics. Thanks for representing,” tweeted Coventry.

David Coltart, the former Zimbabwe Sports minister, tweeted: “Well done Luke Steyn. I am sorry you didn’t finish today, but you have carved out a special place in the hearts of so many Zimbabweans. We look forward to you representing Zimbabwe again in Korea in 2018.”

Steyn made history last Wednesday after becoming the first Zimbabwean to compete at the Winter Olympics when he came 57th out of the 72 skiers who completed the giant slalom race.

— Agencies