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.

Toasts and speeches were made, with congratulations by Mueller and Pavlek and wishes for Janica to reach the level of her last year's successes, and above all - health; they wished Janica to improve from one race to another, and reach the top form by the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, where she could show in her best light.

As always, Janica was short and concise, thanking all contributors, sponsors and well-wishers for their wishes and presents.

And they were many; official sponsors, however, had a special place. On behalf of Croatian Telecom Mr. Krznarić gave Janica a new model of Nokia Communicator 9210, and on behalf of Hypo Alpe-Adria Bank Mr. Truskaller gave her a crystal necklace. She was also given a collection of platinum jewellery by Jamnica's marketing manager Mr. Scherr, and a suitcase by Renault-Croatia's manager Mr. Sicre, who announced a special surprise by his company, which was presented the following day, in the form of Renault Clio - Janica Kostelić, a limited series of eighty cars.