SKIING: Eder quits Austria to represent Grenada

ELFI EDER, who quit the Austrian women's Alpine team last year after an argument with her national federation, will race for the Caribbean island of Grenada this winter. The 28-year-old returns to the circuit after a one-year enforced break.

Eder will miss the first race in Solden, Austria, on 24 October due to a leg ligament injury but is listed for the November races in the United States.

"Solden comes a bit too soon for me. I want to concentrate on the races in November," she said yesterday.

Eder quit the Austrian team in June 1997 because the federation would not allow her to train alone with her own coach. She lost a court case against the federation in November and had to take a compulsory break requested by the Austrian federation and enforced by the International Ski Federation.

"I had to find a new country in order to continue carrying out my job," said Eder. "I want to be the No 1 in slalom again."

Others to have parted company with the Austrian team after disputes include Marc Girardelli, who competed for Luxembourg, and Claudia Riegler, who races for New Zealand.