Sport: Trial by Snow

When the U.S. Olympic team arrived in Kitzbühel, Austria, the men rated scarcely a look. Against Europe's best, assembled to race in the famed Hahnenkamm meet, no one accorded them a chance. But the girls were another matter.

Center of all eyes was an athletic, pony-tailed blonde from New Hampshire named Penny Pitou, 21. Penny was ready, and poised as only a girl can be who had skied against the Europeans on even terms last year. She was quick with a smile for any passing photographer, had acquired a prestigious and hovering boy friend...