41.   The athletes started the ski race based on the order of the ski jumping competition, with point differences from jumping being converted into time differences.

42.   The Italian candidacy includes Sestriere as site for the Alpine ski races during the Winter Games.

43.   The most important official at World Cup ski races this year may be the one with the tape measure.

44.   The Norwegian won the opening ski jumping portion then held off his challengers in the concluding cross-country ski race.

45.   The offer to hold World Cup ski races in the United States because of warm weather in Europe is expected to be rejected.

46.   The public knows her as a free spirit, an undisciplined and sometimes flighty rebel who wins ski races through the sheer force of her will.

47.   The season-ending ski races also could conclude the careers of a number of racers, including the remarkable Alberto Tomba and Hilary Lindh.

48.   The teams are ready for four World Cup ski races this week.

49.   Todd Lodwick, showing excellent pre-Olympic form, held on to win a World Cup Nordic Combined meet on Sunday after a solid cross-country ski race.

50.   Triple Olympic champion Samppa Lajunen of Finland won his third straight World Cup competition in the Nordic combined Wednesday after a strong cross-country ski race.