WHISTLER, British Columbia (AP) – Olympic downhill champion Didier Defago is showing his typical modesty as he gets used to his new status.
Defago shrugged aside comments Tuesday by Swiss Alpine coach Martin Rufener that he’s now a hero back home. His victorious run Monday gave Switzerland its third Olympic men’s downhill champ, following Bernhard Russi at Sapporo in 1972 and Pirmin Zurbriggen at Calgary in 1988.
Defago says he’s happy not to be racing again Tuesday after the super-combined was postponed because of heavy snowfall. He needs time to answer all his text messages offering congratulations.