Are: South American racers realize the talent gap

For Jorge Mandru, last place is a step in the right direction.
    The Chilean may have finished dead last of the 64 skiers who raced Tuesday’s super G — more than five seconds behind winner Patrick Staudacher of Italy — but it was his best championship performance so far.

ARE, Sweden — For Jorge Mandru, last place is a step in the right direction.
    The Chilean may have finished dead last of the 64 skiers who raced Tuesday’s super G — more than five seconds behind winner Patrick Staudacher of Italy — but it was his best championship performance so far.
    At the 2005 worlds, Mandru failed to cross the finish line. In three races at last year’s Torino Olympics, Mandru finished only the downhill — 10 seconds behind French winner Antoine Deneriaz.
    “We’re a little bit far behind,” said Mandru, one of four Chileans competing in this year’s worlds. “It’s a work in progress.”
    The Chileans received loud applause from fans when they crossed the finish line despite having the three worst times of the day. Maui Gayme had the best run for the South Americans, finishing in a respectable 53rd place.
    Mandru said it was clear they were out of their league.
    “This is not our level,” Mandru said. “It’s a little bit difficult, but we try. We are making good work, and we’re hoping that at the next World Championships we’ll have racers better than this.”
    For another South American, the championships were over in a matter of seconds.
    Brazilian teenager Anna Breigutu lasted only a few gates before losing control of her skis in the women’s super G, her championship debut.
    “I had fun while it lasted,” said Breigutu, 16, who has lived in Norway with her family for 10 years and holds dual Norwegian and Brazilian citizenship. “But right now I’m pretty mad at myself. I had made up my mind that I would make it down, but no.”
    Breigutu, supported by her parents, was the only skier representing Brazil in Are.
    “We kind of saw this as a family outing,” said Breigutu, wearing a white, green and yellow racing suit. “It was the World Championships, and an adventure trip as well.”

— Mattias Karen, The Associated Press