Bormio: U.S. will not ski in team event at Finals

BORMIO, Italy — Despite having three globes — five if you count Team America — the U.S. Ski Team will not be competing in the season-ending nation’s team event at the World Cup Finals.
    In a press conference following his sensational giant slalom race, which gave him the World Cup GS title, Ted Ligety indicated the U. S. would not be competing in the event, scheduled for Sunday. “It’s not an ideal event,” Ligety said. “None of us are racing, so that sort of speaks for itself.”
    Does that mean there will be no Team USA, he was asked?
    “No Team USA,” Ligety replied.
    Alpine Director Jesse Hunt confirmed the decision not to participate, and attributed it to athlete injuries and a different focus. “We came in here looking for titles,” Hunt said. “We are banged up.”
    The FIS introduced the team event several years ago and it’s known to be backed by FIS president Gian Franco Kasper. Nations have until 2 p.m. Saturday to submit the names of their participants.
    Of the major alpine nations here, the United States is the only team thus far to indicate it will not participate.— Gary Black Jr.