CORRECTED-Olympics -Alpine skiing-Newcomer nations enjoy rare spotlight on the ski race slopes

By Lisa Jucca and Alan Baldwin

BORMIO/CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Athletes from nations with little or no Alpine skiing tradition will get a rare chance to step on to one of the sport's biggest stages as the less daunting disciplines of giant slalom and slalom get under way at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

World Cup Alpine racing is typically dominated by snow-rich powerhouses such as Switzerland and Austria, along with Scandinavian and North American teams.

But national quotas and relatively relaxed entry criteria open the door to skiers from countries including Kenya, Jamaica and Singapore to share, for a few intense minutes, the same slope as champions such as Switzerland's all-rounder Marco Odermatt or slalom leader Atle Lie McGrath.

Around 90 skiers from 60 nations are expected to race in Saturday's men's giant slalom, the first of the technical events scheduled in Olympic venues Bormio and Cortina d'Ampezzo. That is more than twice the number of athletes who took part in the men's speed events of downhill and super-G. The women's giant slalom follows on Sunday, with the slaloms on Monday and Wednesday.

OLYMPIC JOURNEY CAN BE EXPENSIVE

While established slalom specialist Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who switched from Norway to Brazil, can rely on large sponsors, for many skiers making it to the Olympics comes at steep personal cost.

"It's a very huge financial commitment," said Marco Bardelli, the manager of the Singapore Olympic team which includes Alpine skier Faiz Basha. "It's easier for us to look at potential athletes that are already located in areas where the slopes are nearby, and therefore there are more chances that they are already skiing for... the local ski club."

Pietro Tranchina, a 22-year-old Italian-born skier competing for his mother's country Morocco, said his parents covered many of his costs, which include paying for a coach and a ski technician. "Luckily, I have my parents. I really want to thank them for this experience," the skier told Reuters.

Even World Cup athletes such as Belgium's Armand Marchant -- ranked 11th in the season's slalom standings -- say budgeting is a burden. "It's me who looks for the sponsors. I don't have a manager," he said.

GAPS IN SKIING ABILITIES REMAIN

For athletes from non‑traditional skiing nations, qualifying can be easier due to weaker domestic competition.

Each country can enter one athlete per gender in the technical Alpine skiing disciplines provided the skier averages 120 FIS points or fewer in a system where the best skiers have the lowest tally. Points can be earned at lower‑tier races meeting International Ski Federation standards.

Nations with stronger squads can enter up to four athletes per events.

The system broadens representation but also produces wide gaps in ability.

Sarah Schleper, a former U.S. Olympian now representing Mexico alongside 18-year-old son Lasse Gaixiola, said the experience could initially feel overwhelming.

"(My son) races with Americans, and all his teammates are maybe even faster than him," she said. "And he’s like ... if I get to go to the Olympics, and I have to go race Odermatt I’m going to probably be like 10 seconds behind him.'"

Yet, the experience gained and the pride in representing one's nation made it all worth it, she said.

"It is a way to bring all these countries together," said Schleper. "It’s important to have all the nations and representation of a peaceful atmosphere with everybody."