Bell on slippery slope as mountain turns nasty

Irish alpine skier Florence Bell suffered a disappointing Winter Olympics debut in Sochi, failing to complete her first run of the women’s giant slalom event.

In severe conditions, the 17-year-old’s inexperience counted against her on the unforgiving slopes of Rosa Khutor.

An incorrect line approaching gate 12 ensured she subsequently missed the next one and her race was over. Her day was too — the ‘DNF’ beside her name meant no second run.