Wednesday night the best skiers in the world arrived in Zagreb for the fifth edition of the Vip Snow Queen Trophy. Last year's “Snow King”, Andre Myhrer arrived in Zagreb with a single purpose - to defend his title. "It’s a great feeling to be here, I trained really hard and I hope that the race will be great. Ivica Kostelic could win, but I'll do my best to interfere with his plans.” Myhrer said upon his arrival at the hotel.
Austrian Marcel Hirscher trained for Sljeme in Austria the last few days, he found a slope which has a configuration similar to Sljeme’s “Crveni Spust”. He is quite satisfied with the current skiing but didn’t put any expectations in front of himself for Thursday’s race, he says, his goal is not to win in every race but to continuously ski well keep collecting points. "It will be good if I keep my starting position and finish among the top three," predicts Hirscher, who will be opening the race with bib number 1. As for his personal favorites, Kostelic is at the top of his list, but he said Giuliano Razzoli might be another one to watch for.
Razzoli, who has constantly been successful on Sljeme in the past years (winner in 2010, third in 2009, fourth in 2011.) said that he is feeling very good. He praises the Croatian fans and the atmosphere they create, and is extremely pleased with the slope and organization of the event. "With my shoulder injury, last month has been very difficult for me, I am not in my best shape, but of course I'll do my best and I don’t feel pressured about the result”. Razzoli is aware that Kostelic, who is currently leading the Slalom ranking, will be a tough competitor tomorrow. “He is an excellent skier, a true champion, but it will not be easy for him to win tomorrow because there are a lot of really fast racers out there."
Since he opereted his shoulder last year, French skier Jean – Baptiste Grange has been struggling to get back to the front of the pack. Recovery is going quite well but he's very careful with prognosis for the race tomorrow. „My favorites are Kostelic and Myhrer. Competition is very taugh and everybody is very well prepared. Me, well I'll see how it will go, if I get to the podium, it would be great“ said Grange.
Felix Neureuther arrived to Zagreb in great shape, he was on the podium in the Slalom in Alta badia, and he expects a very good results on Thursday as well.
„Tomorrow we'll see about the result but I hope I could get into the top five. The most important thing is getting a good bib at the draw and as I'm in the top seven skiers at the moment, it's very possible I'll have a good slope.“ A few hours later he got bib number four at the public bib draw in Zagreb. Looking forward to the rest of the season, Neureuther said he is taking one step at the time, race by race.
“It's not very easy but I'll try to catch up Kostelic“ he added.
Benjamin Raich said his previous results don't match his good shape, but he trained well over the holidays and hopes he could achieve something good on Sljeme. „I'm still out of the top 20, but I hope to change that soon. Favorites? Definitely Ivica, he's home, in front of his audience and he has been skiing great all season.“
Raich also mentioned he was very proud and content with yesterday's victory of Marlies Schild, his girlfriend. She's in the shape of her life, but I never expected her to win so easily and now she has done it here in Zagreb four times. „We all know it's a difficult race, and having an atmosphere like the one in Schladming or Kitzbühel, that sure adds something to the whole experience.“
After getting second three times on Sljeme, Ivica Kostelic sure has some pressure on his shoulders. He believes Marcel Hirscher, Andre Myhrer, Cristian Deville, Giuliano Razzoli and Jean-Baptiste Grange are going to be his biggest competition tomorrow. But there is something else that is making Thursday's race special for the Croatian champion- it's his sister's Janica 30th birthday. The Snow Queen race started as one that should be a home race for her, and it was timed to happen on her birthday. With 30 career victories, she never managed to win on home ground, her best result here being a third place (the famouse run without a glove). It might be Ivica's time to redeem his sister.
“If I win tomorrow, I will be dedicating the victory to my sister Janica, it's her birthday and it would definitley have a special meaning for me. But the crown, that's something I will keep for myself, “ Kostelic said.
The first run starts at 14.30 while the second one kicks off at 17.30.
by Ana Jelusic
