Anja Paerson decided: retires

"My career has been fantastic and I have achieved more than I ever dreamed," says Anja. "All the spectacular falls and injuries lasting recent years have reduced my chances of staying on top. Especially damaged cartilage in my left knee has really slowed down my skiing and I have come to a point in my life that my body and my head are no longer prepared to continue. I've always been a fighter and this is a difficult decision, but after spending some time thinking that I feel I'm ready for new challenges in my life. "
< br> "This was the hardest decision I had to make in my life. At the same time, I feel curious and excited to face new challenges that await me now and I have tons of great memories that I carry with me from my career. the world championships on home snow in Are 2007, one of those. the bronze medal at the Games in Whistler in 2010 is another in what we have come to really beyond my mental capacity and physical. the mountain There just is not able to get the better of me. I also always remember the wonderful duel between me and Janica Kostelic and other great champions. "
The decision to retire is ; grew during the year in Anja: "I chose to stop deciding before the season to end so that I can meet all my colleagues, coaches, fans and media on site and thank them for all the moments spent together. I also want take this opportunity to thank my family, my friends, Tärnaby, the Swedish federsci, sponsors, the Swedish Olympic Committee and all my fans who have believed in me and supported me over the years. "< br> What will
Anja in the future is still uncertain. Now to begin immediately after the World Cup finals, will go on vacation: "I want to take a well deserved vacation to really understand my decision and then devote time to family and friends. What I will not after the ' I still planned. I will continue my role as a representative of the athletes in the Committee of the FIS athletes for another year. I will continue to work to ensure that all skiers have the best conditions to practice their sport and to hear their voice. I also hope to contribute through all the experiences I had during my career. My heart will always belong to the sport. "
Born April 25, 1981, lives in Tarnaby, the same country Ingemar Stenmark. His debut in Pink Circus came to the finals in Crans Montana March 15, 1998, a twenty-fifth place in giant slalom. Since then took off in 380 Cup races finishing in the top ten 195 times, 95 times on the podium, winning 42 races, the first slalom in Mammoth Mountain on 3 December 1998, the last in the downhill at Tarvisio March 5 , 2011.
For World Juniors has collected a gold and a bronze in giant slalom in 1998, a gold in slalom in 1999 and two golds in giant slalom and a bronze in the super-G in 2000. In World Cup downhill won 6, 4 super-G, giant 11, 17 slalom, slalom and 3 ko supercombinate and took home two crystal spheres absolute (2004 and 2005), one of super (2009), three giant (2003, 2004 and 2006) and slalom (2004). Remain in the memory of those who love its legendary duels between the pali ties with one that has been with her for a long time the Queen of Skiing, Janica Kostelic.
He has participated in seven editions of the World Championships seniors: in 2001 in St. Anton was gold in giant slalom and bronze in 2003 in St. Moritz gold in giant slalom in 2005 in Santa Caterina in super-G and giant slalom gold and silver combined. The apotheosis of the house at the World Championships in Ã…re in 2007 when he won gold in downhill, Super G and super combined and slalom bronze was then, last year in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, was bronze in super combined. The Olympics was silver and bronze in giant slalom in 2002, gold in slalom and bronze in the downhill and combined in 2006 and finally bronze in super combined in 2010 the day after a horrific fall in the downhill. Total of up to eight golds, two silvers and seven bronzes in Olympic and World Championships, which are to be added silver in 2007 and bronze in 2011 in the team competitions worldwide, that raise the total count to 19. The Super G finals in Schladming will be his last race. Hello and thank you all great champion!