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."

"I had a strong second run which helped me to save this race as I was only 24th in the first run." "So basically I'm pleased by my final result. For me the most important is to be able to race, I just like so much to compete, especially when the weather is fine". Janica spoke of her shape at the beginning of the season:"Right now I must be at 60-70 % of my potential. I still feel same pains in various parts of my bodies including a knee but it's OK". "There are still three weeks to train well before the coming competitions at Park City. I don't worry too much."
The Saturday's race was marked by an unusual event - for the first time in the history of the World Cup, there were three winners! With the same time (1:49,91) Austrian Nicole Host, Slovenian Tina Maze, and Norwegian Andrine Flemme, shared the first place.

Solden race results: 1. Host (Austria), Maze (Slovenia) i Flemme
(Norway)... 11. KOSTELIC (CROATIA) 1:51,28... 23. JELUŠIC (CROATIA)
1:52,17