MEGEVE, France, 6 January 2004 — Anja Paerson of Sweden held her nerve to win a women’s World Cup slalom race yesterday after her chief rivals slipped up.
The Swede was only fifth fastest after the first leg but produced a trademark charge to take her fourth slalom victory of the season in a combined time of one minute 42.25 seconds.
Paerson, the world champion at giant slalom, now holds a 233-point lead at the top of the overall standings from Austria’s Nicole Hosp who finished a miserable 25th here after losing control during her second leg.
First leg leader Marlies Schild of Austria was second in 1:42.59 and Martina Ertl of Germany was joint third in 1:42.70 with compatriot Monika Bergmann-Schmuderer.
Another German, Annemarie Gerg, third quickest after the first leg, crashed with the finish in sight. Paerson, who also displayed her credentials in the speed disciplines with a career-best ninth in Sunday’s super-G, said she had not expected victory after trailing by 0.75 seconds after the first leg.
“I was so far from the leaders that I didn’t believe I could win this race,” said the 22-year-old. “I was a bit mad at myself after the first run and decided in between to take a few more risks in the second.
“I was lucky because the other skiers had bad second runs and Nicole (Hosp) almost skied out.
“It doesn’t feel quite the same though as I don’t like to win by other people’s mistakes. That’s why I didn’t celebrate much at the end,” added Paerson who failed to perform her routine dive across the snow.
Schild, also 22 but with no World Cup victories to her name, admitted the pressure got to her after setting the fastest time earlier on. “It was a unique situation for me,” she said after a slow second run. “I knew Paerson would attack hard and that put pressure on me. But I’m happy enough with a top three finish.”
The icy course proved particularly treacherous during the second leg and claimed all three French skiers to qualify.
Claire Dautherives and Christel Pascal both suffered nasty crashes and needed to be helped off the slope, while Olympic silver medalist Laure Pequegnot saw her hopes vanish when she failed to negotiate a tricky gate. Norway’s Line Viken looked to be heading for her first World Cup podium, but eventually had to settle for a career-best fifth.
The women’s World Cup now heads to Switzerland this weekend for a downhill and super-G race at Veysonnaz with Paerson still undecided whether to take part.
“I will travel there but I must not take any risks, especially in the downhill,” she said.
Janica Kostelic Ends Season
In Munich, three-time Olympic ski champion Janica Kostelic yesterday called an end to her injury-plagued season, saying though that she hoped she would be back next year.
The Croatian, who has not competed in a race this season after undergoing several knee operations and suffering a serious illness, told German television that she had been advised to not race this season.
“My doctor told me to have a break. I will only race again next year. I am optimistic and am confident that I will be back.”
The 22-year old again reiterated an earlier statement in which she said that there was no truth in the speculation that she would have to end her career.
“I love skiing, it is important for me.” Kostelic said that she would accompany her brother Ivica to his races for the rest of the season. “I have more fun watching the men,” she said.
