Kitzbühel, men's slalom

Another podium for Ivica

Ivica Kostelic reached for the 13th time a World Cup podium in slalom as he finished 3rd in Kitzbühel in the race won by Austria's Manfred Pranger.
It's the first time that the reigning World Champion could achieve such a performance in this competition - which explained why Ivica was particularly happy after the race.
Earlier in the day, Janica was 2nd in Maribor. It's the second time since January 2003 that both ski into the best three on the same day. Two years ago, he won a slalom in Kranjska Gora while she did the same in Bormio!

“Now I have reached the podium in all the classical slalom races from on World Cup tour,” said a beaming Ivica after hugging all his staff which came to congratulate him.
“This is really great, I didn't expect to reach consecutive podiums in Wengen and Kitzbühel. I never did better than 6th here, I had always problems so I'm really pleased today.”
“It's just such a great Classic also for the slalom skier, and it's special to be on the podium here.”
“I had a solid first run and in the afternoon, I mostly tried to remain smooth and relaxed until the last gate. It was the most important because the course was pretty rough. The other years, I was too aggressive here and I always lost much time in the second runs.”
“The conditions are often very difficult on this slope. This year it was particularly hard to prepare the slope because of the heavy rainfalls a few days ago. The organizers did a good job at the end. The first run was fine, the second more difficult for the late starters.”

Skiing with confidence

“I skied with much confidence today after doing so well in Wengen last week. And I will be even more confident Tuesday night in Schladming. I don't mind going back on the Planai course even if I got injured there last year. I have been hurt in so many places already! And I did well there in the past.”

“I'm really enjoying what I'm doing right now. Just to be on my skis and racing is great. You must know that doctors told me last year after my crash in Schladming that I only had 30% chances to ski and compete again. I'm happy that there were wrong.”

“But it has been a tough comeback. The injury has been incredibly painful and complicated and I'm only starting to feel better now. At the season start in Soelden, I still had a hard time to walk and to train. I couldn't bend my leg at that moment. It was not pleasant at all and I could not enjoy it. Things started to improve after Sestriere where I achieved a good first run. Then I did well in Flachau. At that point I knew I was on my way back.”

“It's going better now. I received another injection at my injured knee from a specialist in Bad Ragaz which also helps my sister. He already treated my last spring. He injected a special oil in the knee to moister the cartilage. One said that there is even some shark oil in this liquid!”

Ivica also told the press that he gained much momentum and energy while fore-running the women's slalom in Sljeme last Thursday. “The crowd was great and everything was perfectly organized too,” he said. “It was really special to ski there in front of so many happy spectators. It must be the same for the Austrian's here I guess!”

“I hope that we will soon have a men's World Cup race there - maybe in 2007!”

Patrick Lang