Kristian Ghedina (ITA)

DOB:  11/20/1969  Hometown:  Cortina

Kristian Ghedina, 30, is the best Italian downhiller in the history of World Cup ski racing. Ghedina, from Cortina d'Ampezzo, has celebrated 10 victories since '90, most of them on challenging "classic" courses such as Val Gardena, or Wengen. He is the first Italian to have dominated the competition on the treacherous "Streif" at Kitzbühel, achieving his wildest dream that day in '98.

Among his other successes are several medals at FIS World Championships: a silver in combined in 1991, a silver in downhill in 1996, and a bronze in downhill in 1997. In 1995, he blew a chance to clinch the downhill World Cup in the final race at Bormio after choosing a low start number. Ghedina started early, but weather conditions changed, making the course faster for later racers. He was beaten by France's Luc Alphand.

Ghedina's dream of an Olympic medal hasn't come true yet, but he plans to continue his quest in Salt Lake 2002. Ghedina is at his best on fast and icy courses, where life seems to hang on the edge (or his edges). During the off-season, Ghedina also takes part in regional car races — he was almost killed in a terrible car accident in 1991. He laid in a coma with severe head injuries for several weeks, but after many years of determination, he made his incredible comeback to ski racing stardom.

In January 1995, Ghedina once again reached the top by winning the Lauberhorn downhill at Wengen. A very friendly and open-minded character, Ghedina is always ready for a good time. Known as "Ghedo" by his best buddies, he loves to be home in Cortina d'Ampezzo where his family runs one of the best restaurants in town, the 5 Tore.

— Patrick Lange, MountainZone.com World Cup Correspondent