`No Way I'd Apologize,' Tomba Says Of Lift Incident

LAKE LOUISE, Alberta - Alberto Tomba, the Italian skier at the center of a controversy that prevented him from racing in a World Cup event yesterday, says he has nothing to apologize for.

Tomba's chairlift privileges were revoked and a written apology demanded by the manager of the Lake Louise ski resort, after Tomba allegedly knocked down a recreational skier in a lift lineup during training Saturday, swung his poles at a female lift attendant and was abusive to staff and four RCMP officers.

``There was no way I'd apologize,'' said Tomba, a double-gold medalist in the 1988 Olympics.

``I spoke to the girl I knocked over, I went on the ski lift with her, everything was fine.'' He denied swinging his poles at anyone.

Luxembourg's Marc Girardelli withdrew from the race to support Tomba, but the rest of the Italian team competed.

The Italian delegation, however, has protested the outcome of the race, won by Germany's Markus Wasmeier in 1 minute, 28.75 seconds.

To further add to the controversy, the race results are in doubt because the suit worn by the second-place finisher, Patrick Holzer of Italy, didn't carry an International Ski Federation approval seal.

Austria's Stefan Eberharter finished third.

SCHNEIDER WINS GS TITLE

-- VAIL, Colo. - Vreni Schneider beat Julie Lunde Hansen of Norway by .38 seconds in a women's World Cup giant slalom, giving Switzerland its second title in two days. Schneider's teammate, Chantal Bournissen, won the season downhill title Saturday.

Julie Parisien of Auburn, Maine, placed fifth yesterday. Eva Twardokens of Santa Cruz, Calif., was ninth and Edith Thys of Olympic Valley, Calif., finished 15th.