1.   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.

2.   Italian ace Alberto Tomba did not start in the race because of flu.

3.   Italian ace Alberto Tomba charged down a slick flood-lit course Thursday to win the last World Cup slalom before the world Alpine championships.

4.   Italian ace Alberto Tomba did not compete because of the flu.

5.   Italian ace Alberto Tomba did not start Tuesday because of flu.

6.   The Italian ace, riding for Team Alexia Alluminio of Italy, took the yellow jersey at the first cycling competition to be held in this tiny Gulf state.

7.   But the Dutchman has preferred to pair rejuvenated former Manchester United striker Mark Hughes up front with Italian ace Gianfranco Zola.

8.   Italian ace Gianluca Vialli wants to stay with Juventus next season and is not taking seriously lucrative offers from Glasgow Rangers and Chelsea, he said Friday.

9.   Italian ace Alberto Tomba failed to complete the first leg of the World Cup slalom here on Sunday.