Janica Kostelic Video Interview on ski.mountainzone.com

Video Transcript »
Janica Kostelic: Exclusive Interview

Questions by Manuèle Lang:
Janica, what a great race today!

Janica Kostelic:
Yes, it was really a great, I don't know what to say because it's like a dream. The first run was good. I had some problems in the second run but at the end everything went on fine.

Manuèle:
What did you expect this morning?

Kostelic:
I didn't ski so well in the last Nor Am races, and in trainings so I didn't expect so much. I was first of all looking to have a safe race and to enjoy the competition. I had some good memories here since I came in 3rd here two years ago in my first World Cup slalom ever.

Manuèle:
Tell me Janica, what is your secret?

Kostelic:
I don't know, everyone is asking me why I'am skiing like this. When I'm looking on TV, every girls are skiing the same for me. I was like " Oh, she is skiing really good" so , I'm wondering myself how can I ski faster.It's really amazing. It's my be my relaxed attitude".

Manuèle:
What happened in your head between the two runs?

Kostelic:
Nothing much...I was really relaxed during the pause, hanging around. I was making jokes...just not think to much about the second run. I had no tactic, except skiing as well as possible and make it safe to the finish line.

Manuèle:
What does this win change for you now?

Kostelic:
Well, nothing really. What does it change, I don't know...I'm back and I'm happy that I'm back. I have now more confidence for the next race.

Manuèle:
How confident where you about coming back at the top sometime?

Kostelic:
I was glad to be already in good health because I had a very bad injury. I torn four out of the five ligaments at my right knee during this crash at St Moritz and I had a long re habitlitation time in spring. I started to ski in June and I had a good feeling about my future, but I never put me under any pressure and I didn't set any precise goals. I just wanted to have a solid season and to stay out of problems in order to perfectly prepare the 2002 Olympics. Things are going much faster and much better than I though, but this doesn't chnage my basic attitude. Any top-10 result is welcome now and I will just try my best at St Anton. My accident has change my way of considering my career.

Manuèle:
What's are your next races?

Kostelic:
I'll compete at Aspen in both the slalom and the Super-G but I my father donj't want me to compete already in downhill at Lake Louise. Later on, maybe. I hope so because I like it too. I hope to slowly recover a strong form . For the moment I feel a little since I caught a flue coming in America.