NEWS  

Slalom, Winter Park (USA), 18.11.2002
Janica finishes second.
In the last FIS slalom race of the Nor-Am series in the American town of Winter Park, Janica Kostelic finished second. A day after her slalom win, Janica confirmed that she was on her way to top shape just before the continuation of the World Cup.

Slalom, Winter Park (USA), 17.11.2002
Janica quickest at Winter Park
The first win of the season has arrived! In the slalom FIS race of the Nor-Am series in the American town of Winter Park, Janica Kostelic won first place, starting 19., and once again put the world of the white circus at awe.
- It was a pretty difficult course, and Janica, despite victory, still has reserve left - said Team director Vedran Pavlek.

Giant Slalom, Loveland (USA), 15.11.2002
Janica gets better.
A day after the first FIS race of the Nor-Am series, Croatian skiers raced in another giant slalom event at Loveland, in the American state of Colorado. Janica Kostelic improved her standing by one place, finishing seventh this time around.

Loveland, (USA), 14.10.2002
A successful start on American soil.
Only a few days after reaching the US, Janica Kostelic, skied her first race. At Loveland, in the American state of Colorado, Janica skied in the first FIS race of the Nor-Am series, and came eight in giant slalom, a second and 12 tenths of a second behind the winner, Hosp.

Zagreb (CRO), 08.11.2002
Janica pronounced the female athlete of the year!
Janica Kostelic has already gotten used to being the star wherever she shows up, but this time she, herself, did not know the reason. It was in strict secret that our athlete had been pronounced the best female athlete of the world, selected by the British production house Trans World Sport!
The Croatian Ski Association organized a usual press conference at the Zagreb Opera Hotel, which has been postponed from October to November this year, due to Janica Kostelic's post-operative recovery (appendix) and training continuity on the Austrian glacier of Hinterlux. With a multitude of reporters, the press conference was attended by sponsor representatives, as well as friends of Croatian skiing and the Kostelic family.

Soelden, Austria, 26. 10. 2002 - Janica takes eleventh place.
Janica Kostelic finished 11., after nicking a gate in the first run, entering the second run at the 24. place. She, however, put on a vastly superior performance in the second run, thus significantly improving her standing.
"The race was OK - it was difficult with the wind and my first concern was to remain on course." she explained. "I almost crashed in the first run as I hooked a gate. It's nice to start the season here so early - not like last year when I had to wait untill Val d'Isere to come back."

The show is on the road, Janica and Ana are opening it.
Tommorow's giant slalom race in Soldern kicks off the new season of the World Ski Cup. Janica Kostelic and Ana Jelusic are the going to be the first members of the Croatian team on the piste. While much is expected of Janica, especially after news that she is feeling well, and that she has had an excellent training session in Solden, this is going to be a World Cup debut for Ana.

Flachau (AUT) - Slalom, 10.03.2002.
Victories for Kostelic and Pequegnot - Croatia's Janica Kostelic and France's Laure Pequegnot are the last winners of the World Cup season which ended with another exciting race at Flachau today. The triple Olympic Champion won her first World Cup race of the season while the silver medallist from Deer Valley clinched the slalom Cup in finishing 5th - 1,28 seconds behind the winner. Her last rival, America's Kristine Koznick, was a far 13th - her worst result this winter.

Flachau (AUT) - Giant Slalom, 09.03.2002.
Victory and World Cup for Sonja Nef - Sonja Nef found back her best form in the right moment at Flachau - the charming Swiss World Champion dominated the last giant slalom of the season and clinched her second consecutive GS World Cup title after two excellent runs. Her last rival, Austria's Michaela Dorfmeister came in 6th - too far to put more pressure on Nef. Croatia's wonderwoman Janica Kostelic was a strong 8th after starting in 30th position in the first run. It was her best GS finish beside her Olympic race. But the triple Olympic champion was more concerned by her brother's slalom race than her own competition.

Flachau (AUT) - Super G, 07.03.2002.
Fifth win for Michaela Dorfmeister - Michaela Dorfmeister is enjoying a perfect season-end at Altenmarkt - a day after her remarkable victory in a downhill, the 28-year-old Austrian won her first Super-G of the winter. She beat by 66/100 of a second her teammate Alexandra Meissnitzer while Germany's Hilde Gerg, the new Super-G World Cup champion, was 3rd at 1,50 seconds. This race was unfortunately also marked by the spectacular crash of the triple Olympic Champion Janica Kostelic, who lost her balance after clocking the second best intermediate time.

Zagreb (CRO) - 25.02.2002.
After A Victorious Battle, The Empress And Her Army Come Back To Zagreb - Yesterday, on 25th February 2002, Croatia and Zagreb appropriately welcomed their Olympic team, and before all, Janica. With love almost equal, Ivica, Nika, Ana, and the whole Olympic team were welcomed. After a 'crazy' flight over Zagreb and Sljeme, the welcome at the airport, and an immeasurable line of people along the road from Velika Gorica to the center of Zagreb, our Olypmic ski team and Janica were welcomed by more than 150,000 people on the Ban Jelačić square, as Ivica said, like Caesar coming back to Rome with a triumphant army.

Salt Lake City (USA) - Giant Slalom, 22.02.2002.
Fourth medal for Janica Kostelic - Croatia's Janica Kostelic achieved an historical performance today in Park City in the women's giant slalom in winning her third Olympic gold medal within two weeks after two impressive runs down the "CB's run". The 2001 Overall World Cup champion beat by 1,32 seconds Sweden's Anja Paerson and by 1,66 seconds the reigning World Champion Sonja Nef. These three racers are followed by two of the best GS specialists of past years, Austria's Alexandra Meissnitzer, the 1999 World Champion and World Cup winner and Michaela Dorfmeister, the 2000 GS World Cup winner.

Salt Lake City (USA) - Giant Slalom, 22.02.2002.
A four medal for Janica Kostelic? - There are apparently no limits for Janica Kostelic during these Olympics - the 20-year-old skier from Zagreb has once more astonished the ski world by clocking the best time in the first run of the giant slalom at park City. After a slow start, the 2001 Overall World Cup champion skied perfectly at the bottom to beat by almost half a second the 1999 World Champion Alexandra Meissnitzer from Austria while Spain's Maria Jose Rienda Contreras was 3rd at 73/100.

Salt Lake City (USA) - Slalom, 20.02.2002.
Janica did it again - "Oops, I did it again..." With a large smile on her face, Janica Kostelic was imitating Brittney Spears in the finish line of the women's slalom while congratulated by all her team and her parents. Skiing's amazing wonderwoman celebrated another huge success today in winning her second Olympic gold medal here after a dramatic race marked by very difficult race and weather conditions.

Salt Lake City (USA) - Slalom 1st run, 20.02.2002.
Janica Kostelic in the lead - Janica Kostelic is on a roll - the young champion from Zagreb had a excellent first run in the women's slalom and clocked the fastest time in that leg, beating France's Laure Pequegnot by 18/100 of a second while Finland's Tanja Poutiainen was 3rd at 32/100. Sweden's Anja Paerson, who was lucky to be the firs to start on the course covered by soft snow, made it to 4th place, 43/100 behind the lead. Her teammate Ylva Nowen, 5th, already lost 94/100.

Salt Lake City (USA) - Super-G, 17.02.2002.
Daniela Ceccarelli wins first gold and Janica silver - Italy's Daniela Ceccarelli achieved quite an amazing performance today in winning the women's Olympic Super-G at Snowbasin where the last competition in this area took place by fine weather conditions. Overcoming the odds, the 26-year-old skier from Rome beat by 5/100 of a second an impressive Janica Kostelic while another Italian, Karen Putzer, was 3rd at 27/100.

Salt Lake City (USA) - Combined, 14.02.2002.
First gold medal for Janica Kostelic - Janica Kostelic celebrated a wonderful victory in today's women's combined as she became Croatia's first ever gold medal winner in a Winter Olympic event. After dominating the slalom and fighting with all her heart in the downhill, the 2001 Overall World Cup Champion beat by 1,49 seconds Austria's Renate Goetschl, the 1997 combined champion and the 2000 Overall World Cup winner.

Salt Lake City (USA) - Combined slalom, 14.02.2002.
Janica fighting for first Olympic medal - Janica Kostelic has a great chance to clinch her first Olympic medal in today's combined event after winning the slalom part of the competition. The 2001 Overall World Cup champion beat by 1,10 seconds the reigning combined World Champion, Martina Ertl from Germany, while the 1997 World Champion, Renate Goetschl, was only 4th at 2,22 seconds.

Salt Lake City (USA) - Combined slalom, 14.02.2002.
Janica takes the lead - Janica Kostelic clocked the fastest time in the first run of the combined slalom in which she started with bib #1 and beat by half a second the reigning combined World Champion Martina Ertl. The winner of the past two World Cup combined events, Renate Goetschl was third fastest, losing only 1,06 seconds on the leader. Canada's Genevieve Simard, 3rd at Berchtesgaden in slalom, was 4th at 1,16.

Salt Lake City (USA) - Downhill training run 2, 10.02.2002.
Renate Goetschl aiming for first Olympic medal - Janica Kostelic skips downhill race - Austria's Renate Goetschl is the main favorite for the downhill Olympic title in Monday's race - on Sunday afternoon, the 1999 World Champion dominated the last practice run which took place under bright sun a few hours after the men's competition won by her teammate Fritz Strobl. She beat by 40/100 of a second her friend Michaela Dorfmeister, the 2001 World Champion at St Anton, while Canada's Mélanie Turgeon clocked the third best time at 87/100.

Salt Lake City (USA) - Downhill training run 1, 09.02.2002.
Picabo Street back at the top - Janica happy with 33rd time - America's Superstar Picabo Street clocked the fastest time in the first training run of the women's downhill scheduled for next Monday. The 1998 Super-G Olympic Champion is ready to win a third medal in her third Olympics in what should be her last major ski race - the 30-year-old US veteran beat by 41/100 of a second her teammate Caroline Lalive while Germany's Sybille Brauner was the third fastest with a delay of 71/100.

Zagreb (CRO), 05.02.2002.
Janica went to Salt Lake City - On Tuesday, 5th February, Janica and her father Ante departed for Salt Lake City! They were originally planning to travel on Monday, but Ante Kostelić assessed that Janica could use one more day in Selce. The flu has gone, the back is better, and the shape will be improved until the first competition in the combined on 14th February.

Selce (CRO), 31.01.2002.
Janica on rehabilitation - On Thursday 31st January 2002, Janica Kostelić left Austria's Innerkrems and went to Selce for rehabilitation and condition training, before leaving for the Winter Olympics at Salt Lake City. On Thursday, during a slalom training, Janica felt pains in her back, after which she travelled with her father Ante Kostelić to 'Terme Selce', to see dr Vlasta Brozičević.

Cortina d'Ampezzo (ITA) - Giant Slalom, 27.01.2002.
Double win for Norway - Janica 13th despite strong pains - The Norwegian ski team celebrated one of its best days in a World Cup race today in Cortina d'Ampezzo where Stina Hofgard Nilsen won her first competition in front of her teammate Andrine Flemmen. Italy's Karen Putzer was 3rd ahead of the last winner in Berchtesgaden, Austria's Michaela Dorfmeister.

Cortina d'Ampezzo (ITA) - Super-G, 25.01.2002.
Fourth victory for Hilde Gerg - Janica close to the podium! - Germany's slalom Olympic Champion Hilde Gerg won her fourth race of the season in Cortina d'Ampezzo's Super-G which took place by beautiful weather conditions. The Bavarian beat by a mere 1/100 of a second Austria's Renate Goetschl and by 20/100 the former double World Champion Alexandra Meissnitzer who reached her first World Cup podium since the Finals at Sierra Nevada in March 1999.

Berchtesgaden (GER) - Slalom, 20.01.2002.
Janica could smile - America's Kristina Koznick and Switzerland's Marlies Oester shared the victory in today slalom at Berchtesgaden also marked by the comeback of Janica Kostelic 3rd at a few tenths of a second.

Saalbach (AUT), Slalom/Combined, 13.01.2002.
2nd place for Janica in combined - France's Laure Pequegnot confirmed her first victory from Copper Mountain last November in dominating her second slalom this season in Saalbach where she beat by over half a second Switzerland's Sonja Nef and by 67/100 Sweden's Ylva Nowen, the slalom World Cup champion from 1998. It's her first top-3 finish in a slalom since 1999.

Saalbach (AUT), Downhill II, 12.01.2002.
Janica Kostelic excellent 21st - Germany's Hilde Gerg became today the twelfth women to win double downhills as she dominated again the rest of the field in the second speed race in a row. The Bavarian from Lenggries finished ahead of three Austrian including Renate Goetschl, 2nd at 5/100 of a second and Michaela Dorfmeister, 3rd at 40/100.

Saalbach (AUT), Downhill I, 11.01.2002.
Six points for Janica Kostelic - Germany's slalom Olympic Champion Hilde Gerg won her second World Cup race this season here in Saalbach, Austria, where the fourth downhill of the winter took place by perfect weather conditions and in front of a nice crowd.

Maribor (SLO)
Janica celebrates 20th birthday in Maribor's Habakuk hotel - In the company of many friends, fans and sponsors, Janica celebrated the end of her teen-age years and her 20th birthday. Vedran Pavlek, director of Croatian ski team and Croatian ski-pool, and Ozren Mueller, spokesman for Croatian ski association, did everything to organize Janica's official birthday party on a high level - with champagne and a huge cake bearing the names of official sponsors.


Maribor (SLO), Slalom II (replace for Megeve), 06.01.2002.
Janica Kostelic 10th - Sweden's Anja Paerson is on her best way to become one of the remarkable slalom specialists in the history of World Cup ski racing. At only 20, the skier from Tärnaby set an impressive winning streak of four consecutive victories in a single month.

Maribor (SLO), Slalom I, 05.01.2002.
Janica back among the top-10 - Sweden's new ski-star Anja Paerson achieved an impressive hat-trick today in Maribor where she won her third consecutive slalom this season after dominating both runs.

Maribor (SLO), Giant Slalom, 04.01.2002.
Janica Kostelic didn't qualify for second run - Switzerland's Sonja Nef offered herself the best possible New Year present in winning the giant slalom race in Maribor, Slovenia, a week after crashing out in Lienz, Austria. The reigning giant slalom World Champion and dominator of the specialty last season achieved a nice comeback in this "Classic" in beating by 1,53 second Slovenia's new ski star Tina Maze while Norway's Stine Hofgard-Nilsen was 3rd a 1,64 second.

Lienz (AUT)
Golden Ski Award for Janica Kostelic - At Lienz, where the last women's races of the year 2001 took place by excellent condition, Croatia's Janica Kostelic was awarded the Golden Ski-Serge Lang Trophy at the eve of the slalom competition by Switzerland's Sonja Nef.

Lienz (AUT), Slalom, 29.12.2001.
Janica Kostelic fights back - Sweden's slalom World Champion Anja Paerson confirmed her outstanding form in this part of the season in winning her second slalom in a row in Lienz a day after finishing 3rd in a giant slalom. The skier from Taernaby, who dominated the slalom at Sestriere earlier this month, beat by 5/100 of a second Germany's Monika Bergmann and America's Kristine Koznick who tied for 2nd place. She was already the fastest in the first run.

Lienz (AUT), Giant Slalom, 28.12.2001.
Janica Kostelic was cautious - Switzerland's Lilian Kummer enjoyed her first World Cup victory today in Lienz, in the Austrian Province of Ost-Tirol, after a Giant Slalom race marked by the crashes of several top favorites.

Val d'Isere (FRA), Giant Slalom, 16.12.2001.
Janica Kostelic crashes at full speed - Croatia's "wondergirl" Janica Kostelic was on her way for a remarkable performance when he straddled a gate with her right ski in the upper part of the slope.

Val d'Isere (FRA), Super-G, 15.12.2001.
Janica Kostelic Excellent 12th - The German team dominates the Super-G events in this early part of the season as Hilde Gerg triumphed in Val d'Isere three weeks after the success of her teammate Petra Haltmayer in Canada's Lake Louise.The 1997 Super-G World Cup champion beats by 67/100 of a second Austria's Renate Goetschl, the 2000 Overall World Cup champion, while Tanja Schneider came in 3rd.

Zagreb (CRO), 08.12.2001.
After winning the overall World Cup title last season, Janica went through injuries, three operations, rehabilitation... But, Janica wouldn't be herself if she wasn't persistent, diligent and self-confident. Past two months she has been training and preparing for the beginning of the season. She skipped the two first World Cup races in USA in order to get in shape for remaining World Cup races and, above all, her greatest goal of the season - the Olymipics in Salt Lake City. Good luck, Janica!

Zagreb (CRO), 21. 04. 2001.
Janica Also On Postage Stamps - Janica Kostelić is the only sports personality in Croatia that can boast having her own postage stamp. The Croatian postal service issued a stamp with the face of the best world skier 2000/2001 on Saturday 21 April.

Zagreb (CRO), 07. 04. 2001.
Janica Sold Out - For Janica the last couple of weeks have been marked by receptions and obligations to her sponsors. After being received by Croatia's President Stjepan Mesić, the world's best skier, her father and trainer and the director of the alpine ski pool, Vedran Pavlek, were received by Zdravko Hebel, predsjednik of the Croatian Olympic Committee (HOO), and Zagreb's mayor, Ivan Bandić.

Zagreb (CRO), 02. 04. 2001.
Janica Awarded The Order Of King Branimir - President Stjepan Mesic has received Janica Kostelic, the winner of the World Ski Cup, her father and coach Ante Kostelic and the director of the alpine ski pool Vedran Pavlek and awarded them the medal.

Basel (SUI), 14. 03. 2001.
Janica Successfully Underwent Surgery - Janica Kostelić had successful menisecetomy of the left knee at The Bruderholz Hospital in Basel (Switzerland). The surgery lasted 46 minutes, and it was performed by surgeons who carried out the menisecetomy of her right knee 15 months ago...