Switzerland's skiers are still without a medal at the Salt Lake Winter Olympics, following a disappointing performance in Wednesday's women's slalom.

Sonja Nef, Marlies Oester and Corina Grünenfelder all crashed out during the second run while battling their way in poor visibility down a course made treacherous by thick piles of fresh snow.

The Swiss were not alone in their frustration. Three members of the rival Austrian team also crashed out of contention, among them the Olympic combined silver medallist Renate Goetschl.

America's Kristina Koznick, who currently leads the World Cup slalom standings, was one of 19 women to go out during the first run.

Second gold for Kostelic

Croatia's Janica Kostelic survived the dramatic cull to clinch her second gold medal and third medal overall at the Salt Lake Games.

Kostelic finished ahead of France's Laure Pequegnot and Sweden's Anja Pärson to add the slalom gold to her gold in the combined event and super-G silver.

Nef will be looking to bounce back from her slalom tumble on Friday when she competes in her specialist discipline, the giant slalom.

Biathlon blues continue

While Switzerland's alpine skiers still have the chance to make some Olympic impressions, their compatriots in the biathlon events completed a miserable Games on Wednesday with an 18th place finish in the men's 4x7.5km relay.

The Swiss team, whose members failed to make the top 45 in any of the individual competitions, came second last in the relay ahead of only Britain.

"This result is a catastrophe," commented team coach Raphael Hug. "I had expected more of my athletes."

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