SIDEBAR Alpine skiing has a 'humbling experience' at Games, says Jansrud

Pyeongchang, South Korea (dpa) - Norwegian racer Kjetil Jansrud believes it‘s no bad thing to know that alpine skiing is not the main attraction at the Pyeongchang Olympics.There have been plenty of empty seats for the two men‘s speed races, the downhill and super-g, at the Jeongseon alpine centre, lending an unusual Olympic atmosphere to what would be top-drawer events in Europe.Jansrud, who took medals in both events, said after Friday‘s super-g that the lack of big crowds was "a little different to what we are used to" on the World Cup circuit.But he added: "It is also a humbling experience for everybody, including ourselves, to understand they are not the centre of public attention in the world - by no means - which is not a surprise but is also a good reminder."While snow sports are not the biggest attractions at the Games "people are fighting for tickets" for short track and figure skating.The Olympics is also "a golden opportunity" to bring ski racing to parts of the world which does not have an alpine sports tradition, he said.On Thursday, fellow Norwegian and downhill winner Aksel Lund Svindal said the Olympics was "bigger than alpine skiing" and if it is "not a big deal here it‘s too bad for us."