1.   And when he stood there, he would also be the first Austrian skier awarded four Olympic medals.

2.   After the first few skiers, the rain began, softening the course to a treacherous consistency and reducing visibility.

3.   Alain Baxter won bronze, becoming the first British skier to win an alpine medal in the Olympics.

4.   Deborah Compagnoni, the Italian ace, saw her chances to become the first Alpine skier to win three gold medals in consecutive Olympics come down to mere survival.

5.   If he should win a medal in that event on Saturday, he would become the first American skier to win three Olympic medals.

6.   It was a milestone that gave her as good a chance as anyone to become the first black Olympic skier from the United States.

7.   Janica Kostelic of Croatia became the first Alpine skier, male or female, to win four medals, three gold, at a single games.

8.   Ministers and mailmen also were among the first skiers in the Rocky Mountains.

9.   The first skier to cross the finish line wins the gold medal.

10.   Thursday, Miller was the first skier on the course and he skied cautiously, without the benefit of watching others on the snow or the course.