Aamodt reaps award for being "the best"

Olympic ski racing champion Kjetil Andre Aamodt received one of Norway's top sports awards Saturday for his surprising win in the super G at the Torino Winter Games.

OSLO, Norway — Olympic ski racing champion Kjetil Andre Aamodt received one of Norway's top sports awards Saturday for his surprising win in the super G at the Torino Winter Games.
    The gold medal is awarded annually by the Aftenposten newspaper.
    ''He's the best when it really matters,'' Aftenposten said.
    Aamodt has a record eight medals from the Olympics and 12 from World Championships — nine gold, six silver and five bronze medals.
    The 35-year-old veteran underwent knee surgery in late March and plans to come back on the World Cup circuit in Wengen, Switzerland, where a downhill, slalom and super combined will be held Jan. 12-14.
    Aamodt also hopes to compete at the World Championships in Are, Sweden, in March.
    ''I've skied 66 runs in Hemsedal [Norway] and I'll soon be ready to compete again,'' Aamodt said.

— The Associated Press