Squaw Valley Native Julia Mancuso Wins Bronze in Women’s Super-Combined

Squaw Valley’s Julia Mancuso celebrates with family and friends after winning Bronze in the women’s Super-Combined at Sochi – making her the most decorated female skier in United States history. She smoked everyone (by .43 second) in the downhill portion and then skied a good slalom run to win the Bronze medal. Mancuso has four Olympic medals – one in each color. With her eyes set on more wins, anticipation builds for Wednesday’s downhill and Saturday’s Super G.

As Seen In USA TODAY | Warm weather perfect for Julia Mancuso

By Erik Brady – KRASNAYA POLYANA — Scott Webber returned from the concession stand loaded down with hot dogs and French fries between races of Monday’s women’s super combined. “Feels like the Rockies opener out here,” he said as he passed the food all around.

Webber is Julia Mancuso’s stepfather (pictured left with wife Andrea, and daughter Julia) and she has a traveling party of eight family members at the Games. Their winter coats were open and their gloves off — and they are happy with the unseasonably warm conditions. “This is Tahoe weather,” said April, Julia’s older sister. “Can’t beat it.” MORE: Photos of Julia Mancuso’s career.

Mancuso finished the downhill portion of the race in first place. Other skiers complained the snow was too sticky. Not Julia. “The snow felt a little bit softer so it was easier to really drive into my skis,” she said. “This is Julia’s kind of weather,” said her mother, Andrea Mancuso Webber. Had she ever seen her daughter ski in warmer conditions? “I’m trying to think,” she said. “The U.S. Nationals is in March. Maybe there.”

They were behind the grandstand in a gathering spot for fans between races that was more muddy than snowy amid dozens of flag poles with banners of the world raised high but hanging limp, no wind to animate them. Mancuso’s grandmother, Sheila Tuffanelli, 80, said the weather makes no difference to her. “Hot, cold, I wouldn’t miss this,” she said. “Too bad more Americans didn’t come here. We have had nothing but a great reception from the Russians.” MORE: Mancuso gaining confidence before Sochi.

Mancuso’s close friend, British ski racer Chemmy Alcott, said Mancuso “looked like she was skiing a normal course. You couldn’t see it had warmed up.” Alcott squinted in the sun. “Feels more like a spring Olympics,” she said. Stay tuned to tahoerealestatediary.com for more updates. GO TEAM USA! Photos courtesy Scott Webber, president, Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty.