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Family Affair. Save for Janet and Susan Corrock, the surprise bronze medalist in the women's downhill, midway through the competition it seemed that the 131-member U.S. team might be headed for one of its worst showings ever. "The trouble with you Yanks," said one widely quoted Norwegian athlete, "is that you're too soft. Your life is too easy."
The Norwegian had obviously never visited Northbrook, III. (see box, page 51), which produced Dianne Holum, 20, Anne Henning, 16, and three other members of the U.S.'s 16-mem-ber speed-skating team. Dianne turned U.S. fortunes around in short order. The smoothly striding brunette put on a strong closing drive in the 1.500-meter race to win the U.S.'s first gold medal with a new Olympic record time of 2:20.85. Then it was Anne's turn. Matched with Canada's Sylvia Burka in the 500 meters, she lost at least a full second when her opponent cut her off while crossing lanes, but finished in 43.73, fast enough to break an Olympic record and win a gold medal, anyway. Allowed another try after officials disqualified the Canadian. Anne clipped .40 sec. off her first run to set another Olympic record.
At that point, the gold fever became contagious. Going into the women's slalom, the U.S.'s hopes hinged on Marilyn and Barbara Cochran, the two sisters who with brother Bob made the U.S. ski team something of a family affair. The sisters' chances were quickly halved, however, when Marilyn, 22, snagged a gate in her first run and tumbled out of the race. Then, out of the snow flurries came Barbara, 21. Cutting corners dangerously close, she whizzed home with the fastest time in the first of the two heats. Refusing to look at her competitors lest their difficulties make her "too cautious," she again went all out to register a total time that was just .02 sec. better than Runner-Up Danielle Debernard of France. It was the first gold medal won by any American in Alpine skiing in 20 years.