Gim records personal best Olympics result in grand slalom

Gim So-hui competes in the first run of the women's giant slalom during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre in Yanqing on Monday. [AFP/YONHAP]

Alpine skier and three-time Olympian Gim So-hui finished 33rd in the women’s giant slalom on Monday, marking her best Olympic finish in the event.

Gim earned her Olympic berth at the last minute on Jan. 26, after one alpine skier was unable to make it to the Olympics. Despite joining Team Korea at the last minute, Gim was able to mark her best Olympic finish at her third Games.

On her first run, Gim crossed the finish line with a time of 1:04.12 to put her in 38th position.

Gim was able to up her game on her second run, crossing the finish line with a time of 1:03.10, shaving a second off her first run. For the giant slalom, both records are added together to determine the winner. Gim landed in 33rd position with a total time of 2:07.22, 11.53 seconds behind gold medalist Sara Hector of Sweden.

At the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, Gim finished 45th with a total time of 2:35.370 and at the 2014 Sochi Games, Gim finished 53rd with a time of 3:01.830.

Countrywoman Kang Young-seo had to withdraw from the competition during the first run, sensing discomfort in her knee, and was unable to finish the race.

Alpine skier Jung Dong-hyun will compete in the men’s giant slalom on Sunday.

BY YUN SO-HYANG [yun.sohyang@joongang.co.kr]