SKIING : Road-Weary U.S. Skiers Get Home Game

Tired but triumphant after its finest showing in the World Alpine Ski Championships since 1985, the U.S. ski team returns home this week to determine who is best in America at the $100,000 Subaru U.S. Alpine Championships starting today with men’s and women’s downhills.

The event follows on the heels of the World Championships in Japan, at which the Americans won two silver medals and a bronze.

Most of the U.S. team flew directly from Japan to Winter Park on Monday to prepare for the U.S. championships.

Three skiers will be back to defend their U.S. titles, among them Diann Roffe-Steinrotter, who last year swept the super-giant slalom, giant slalom and slalom to go along with her Olympic silver medal in giant slalom at Albertville.

Roffe-Steinrotter has been a disappointment this year. Her best finish in the World Championships was a tie for ninth in the giant slalom.

“It’s a little unlikely I could win three titles again like last year,” Roffe-Steinrotter said. “But nationals are pretty special for me and I’ll certainly give it my best. You always want to do well at nationals.”

Matt Grosjean, who placed 15th in slalom at the World Championships, returns to defend his title, as does Jeff Olson, who won last year’s downhill.

Not returning will be Erik Schlopy, last year’s super-G and giant slalom champion. Schlopy is recovering from a serious back injury suffered when he crashed on the downhill course in Japan.

Tommy Moe, who placed a surprising fifth in the downhill in Japan, had the leading training run at Winter Park on Tuesday with a time of 1:15.10.

U.S. Alpine Notes

The weekend schedule, barring changes: men’s and women’s super-G on Friday, both slaloms on Saturday, women’s giant slalom on Sunday and men’s giant slalom Monday. . . . The prize money breakdown: $5,000 for first, $2,500 for second, $1,250 for third, $750 for fourth and $500 for fifth. . . . ESPN will carry same-day coverage of the downhill races today, beginning at 2 p.m. PST. Friday’s super-G races will be show at 5:30 p.m. Saturday’s slalom events will be shown live at 1 p.m., with Bob Beattie and Todd Brooker providing the commentary.