WORLD CUP SKIING
Lindsey Kildow
Ski Club Vail’s Lindsey Kildow, a four-event racer on the U.S. Ski Team, reports regularly from the World Cup tour in collaboration with Denver Post ski writer John Meyer.
Are, Sweden – Thoughts while watching 75 mph winds postpone world championships races three days in a row:
I think the home country favorite, Anja Paerson, is under a lot of pressure. She’s a two-time World Cup overall champion with six world championships medals and five Olympic medals, but she hasn’t won a race this season. She has been on the podium only twice. She skipped the last World Cup races before the world championships so she could come here early and train.
She’s on the cover of at least four Swedish magazines. She’s probably the biggest celebrity in all of Sweden.
She had offseason knee surgery in Vail last summer, and I think it has taken her longer to return to form than she expected.
It’s not like she’s doing badly so far this season – she has 10 top-10 finishes and is seventh in the overall standings – but she’s not the force she usually is.
I also think she has suffered this season because her big rival, three-time World Cup overall champion Janica Kostelic of Croatia, is taking the season off. Five of the past six seasons, one or the other has won the World Cup overall title, and I think she thrives off that competition.
I think with Janica not being around, Anja’s motivation isn’t as high as it usually is. You can tell in her mannerisms and the way she approaches races that something’s missing.
She might be a little weary of the World Cup grind, too. She has been winning World Cups since she was 16 years old. Now she’s 25. The years in between were filled with a lot of work and a lot of time on the road. The seasons can get long, and it helps to focus on something to get you through the grind.
When you’ve won, it’s hard to keep winning, because it’s all about motivation. Once you’ve achieved your goal, you have to find something that keeps you going. I believe when Janica gets back, Anja will regain her motivation and get back to winning.
I do think she will be tough to beat at these world championships. I guarantee she will get a few medals.
