ON THE SIDELINES : Slim Tomba Ready to Hit Slopes

A slimmed-down Alberto Tomba said today that he is fit and ready to stage a comeback, confident that he put last season’s disappointments behind him.

The 22-year-old Italian skier exploded onto the international scene in the 1987-88 season when he won nine World Cup races and captured two gold medals at the Calgary Olympics.

But last season Tomba, who loves homemade pasta and Lambrusco wine, was 22 pounds overweight. He enjoyed an easy life and was distracted by commercial commitments. During the season he won just one World Cup race and failed to take any medals at the World Championships in Vail, Colo.

“I am fit and ready for a great comeback,” Tomba said. “I feel in a winning form again, and I can bet that I am going to take more than two World Cup races, which are the minimum target of my next season.”