Greta Small reacts at the finish during the Alpine Skiing Women's Super-G on day eight of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. © 2018 Getty Images Greta Small has opened her PyeongChang 2018 campaign with a 31st place finish in the women's Super G at Jeongseon Alpine Centre.
Gunning for a top 30 finish, Small crossed the line 2.98 seconds behind gold medallist Esta Ledecka of the Czech Republic in a time of 1:24.09.
"The track was in perfect conditions, sunny top to bottom and I couldn't have asked for better conditions for my first Olympic race here," Small said.
"I know I could have skied better but I'm happy that I am under three seconds behind which was a goal of mine.
"I was really happy about that but a little disappointed I didn't make the top 30 which I was only 0.08 seconds outside of it."
It's been a long way back for Small who has spent more time off the snow rehabbing as opposed to on it competing.
"I'm so happy to be here after a really rough two years," she said.
"A year ago I didn't think I would be here so I'm just so happy I am."
She now is looking forward to competing in her next event - the Downhill.
"The next three days are Downhill training and then two more races (Downhill and Combined)," she said.
"I'm excited to keep getting faster from here."
In one of the stories of the Games so far, it was the snowboard parallel giant slalom world champion in Ledecka who upset the heavy hitters to win the gold.
"She's been skiing really well," continued Small.
"St Moritz Super G we were skiing the same times. From bib 26 for her to put down the winning run shows you what great conditions we have here and that it is anyone's game out there."
Ledecka finished 0.01 seconds ahead of Austria's Anna Veith who won silver with Tina Wierather of Liechtenstein 0.1 seconds behind taking the bronze.
Small will now compete in the Downhill on Day 12 (Wednesday 21 February) and the Alpine Combined (Friday 23 February) events.
Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au
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