Press TV
Hussein Kalhor has made history for his country as the first Iranian skier to compete in the Alpine Skiing World Cup.
Kalhor however missed the secound round of men's slalom race after displaying an uncertain style. He finished second-last in the first run, more than 16 seconds behind the fastest man.
"The course was very slippy," AFP quoted Kalhor as saying on Sunday.
Kalhor was happy with his debut, saying that he had not missed a gate and had at least reached the end of the course unlike superstars Benjamin Raich of Austria and America's Bode Miller who both failed to finish.
"To take part in a downhill at Kitzbuehel I would have had the strength and courage, but I missed training," he said.
From a humble background, Kalhor grew up in the mountainous regions north of Teheran and has financed his career by giving skiing lessons to the capital city's rich.
His manager Dana Vafai said, "Our aim is for him to be the best 'exotic' skier at the 2010 Winter Olympics."
"We know that he has no chance against the Austrians, Swiss and French," Vafai added.
Kalhor would not compete at the world championships in Val-d'Isere from February 2-15, but he will be back on the slopes on Tuesday in the World Cup night slalom at Schladming.
Hussein Kalhor has made history for his country as the first Iranian skier to compete in the Alpine Skiing World Cup.
Kalhor however missed the secound round of men's slalom race after displaying an uncertain style. He finished second-last in the first run, more than 16 seconds behind the fastest man.
"The course was very slippy," AFP quoted Kalhor as saying on Sunday.
Kalhor was happy with his debut, saying that he had not missed a gate and had at least reached the end of the course unlike superstars Benjamin Raich of Austria and America's Bode Miller who both failed to finish.
"To take part in a downhill at Kitzbuehel I would have had the strength and courage, but I missed training," he said.
From a humble background, Kalhor grew up in the mountainous regions north of Teheran and has financed his career by giving skiing lessons to the capital city's rich.
His manager Dana Vafai said, "Our aim is for him to be the best 'exotic' skier at the 2010 Winter Olympics."
"We know that he has no chance against the Austrians, Swiss and French," Vafai added.
Kalhor would not compete at the world championships in Val-d'Isere from February 2-15, but he will be back on the slopes on Tuesday in the World Cup night slalom at Schladming.