Lagging N Korean slalom skier wins Olympic hearts

Pyeongchang, South Korea

A PLUCKY North Korean skier earned the biggest cheer of the day at the women's giant slalom on Thursday after a display that brought back fond memories of glorious Olympic no-hopers.

Kim Ryon Hyang churned her way down the Pyeongchang course in a time of 1min 40.22sec - just under half-a-minute off the top times set by Italy's Manuela Moelgg and American Mikaela Shiffrin.