1.   He was assured his berth on the team when he won the World Cup competition at Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid, N.Y., last Saturday.

2.   The top two finishers in each event during the weeklong meet were assured berths on the team bound for Atlanta.

3.   The winner is assured a berth in the Bowl Championship Series.

4.   Slovakia needs to compile the most points to be one of two teams that join six other countries already assured berths in the final round.

5.   The winner is all but assured a berth in the second round, with modest Costa Rica and World Cup newcomer China completing the group.

6.   Two more berths will be assured Saturday and the last one on Sunday.

7.   Two more berths will be assured Saturday.

8.   Winners of Gold Cup events are assured berths on the U.S. Olympic ski team, and Schlopy thus earned a bid by winning the GS.