Anja Pärson has decided to continue her career but will focus on the speed events in the 2011/2012 season.
"I felt the need during last season to further develop my downhill and super-G. I want to give myself a bigger chance to win the World Cup globes in these events next season," says Anja Pärson.
The soon 30-year-old has collected 42 World Cup wins and 19 medals at title events so far. Her last World Cup win came in the downhill in Tarvisio (ITA) in the beginning of March.
"It feels like a new start to compete in fewer events next season and to see if I can fight my way back to the very top there. I will mostly focus on downhill and super-G but will also include some giant slalom. Within the team I will have a bit different role than before since I will mostly focus on downhill," she says.
During the spring Anja has tested skis in Kvitfjell in Norway with the Norwegian and Swiss men.
"I received a lot of positive feedback and motivation to remain on the top. In the autumn I will have my training base in Switzerland where I have really good training company and a great opportunity to get the best preparation possible for the winter."
At this time her decision to continue covers next season only. The Olympic Games in Sochi are still three years away.
"It is a bit of a cliche to say that I am taking it year by year. But that's how it is. If I feel that I cannot really invest as hard as is needed to stay on the top of the world then I will quit. But if I feel that everything is fitting together and I am feeling good and my motivation is there then there is nothing against continuing after next year either. Obviously it would be great to compete in one more Games, especially in Russia, but I will have to be honest with myself. If I go there I must have the chance to win a gold medal," Pärson adds.
