Pat McMillan and Tess Arbez impress in their Winter Olympic debuts for Ireland

Bad weather may have delayed and frustrated them for several days but when Ireland's alpine skiers Patrick McMillan and Tess Arbez finally got to make their Winter Olympic debuts this morning they did not disappoint.

Pat McMillan and Tess Arbez impress in their Winter Olympic debuts for Ireland

Bad weather may have delayed and frustrated them for several days but when Ireland's alpine skiers Patrick McMillan and Tess Arbez finally got to make their Winter Olympic debuts this morning they did not disappoint.

McMillan (26), from Ogonelloe, Co Clare, had a dream debut in the 'Formula One' of skiing, flying fearlessly down the tricky Downhill course with no problems at all to finish 52nd. His time of one minute and 49.98 seconds (1:49.98) was just nine seconds slower than the new Olympic champion Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway.

Less than an hour later, on a brilliant morning for Team Ireland in PyeongChang, a daring second run in the Giant Slalom saw Arbez finish four seconds faster than her first to move up six places to finish 50th overall from a field of 79.

“This feels great,” said a delighted McMillan. “Today I achieved one of my top goals in life, to ski in an Olympic Downhill and finish it and make a lot of people proud. I'm sure everyone at home enjoyed it. My mom and father will be very happy.

“A little bit more was left on the course. The (sunny) conditions probably took a little bit of time off and I lost a little bit of power towards the end.

“But the boys who won it are all in their mid-30s. They have 10 more years experience than me. I can guarantee that in four or eight years time, when we're back here again, I'll also have that experience and make a great result.

“When you put your mind to it you can do anything,” he said. “Five years ago I said I wanted to become a skier and then go to the Olympics and now I've achieved that goal. You should never give up.”

Arbez, who only turned 20 last December, had an equally dazzling debut at this level. In Olympic Giant Slalom she needed to complete the first run to qualify for a second.

While 11 other competitors crashed out around her she held her nerve and completed her first run in one minute and 22.12 seconds, admitted her legs were shaking with nerves before she left the start-gates.

But second time around Arbez showed absolutely no fear and was a full four seconds faster, crossing the line in one minute 18.12 seconds, a huge improvement that jumped her six places to finish in the top 50 with a combined total of two minutes 40.24 seconds (2:40.24).

“Everything is just perfect,” she beamed. “The weather was amazing, my parents and my family were over there shouting for me and I cannot believe it!

“It was really important to finish to the first run. I could only do the second run if I got down first time so that was really important because I never did the second run in that kind of race before.

“I'm really happy to be there. I decided I cannot be sad if I made a mistake or something, to just have fun.”

Arbez was only the seventh Irishwoman to compete in a Winter Olympics and McMillan was only the second Irishman to ever take part in the Olympic Downhill.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Manchester City v Liverpool FC - Premier League S Larry Ryan: Should we let coach Klopp write his own ending?
Donegal v Tyrone - Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final Cork vs Mayo game switched from Mallow, Fermanagh vs Armagh rescheduled
Cork v Kerry - Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 Limerick forced to move National Hurling League game from Gaelic Grounds
ieStyle Live 2021 Logo
ieStyle Live 2021 Logo

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited