Copyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: The Winter Olympics are officially underway, and as always, one of the most anticipated events is the downhill in alpine skiing. The men's competition is this weekend. The race is raw power and speed as competitors plummet down a mountain course, sometimes going more than 90 miles an hour. NPR's Tom Goldman talked to some American racers to find out how they cope with one of the most terrifying winter sports. TOM GOLDMAN, BYLINE: Downhillers have this term - snow snake. It's an unseen serpent that rises from the ground and gets you. Last weekend in Germany, the snow snake bit American Stacey Cook hard. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER: Second down and, oh, she's - oh, my word. Oh, goodness me, that's a big hit for Cook. GOLDMAN: Cook figures the crash, broadcast here on Eurosport, happened when she was going more than 80 miles an hour. Her skis splayed, she lost control, smashed into protective
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