Ivica Kostelic: I Have No Regrets

It is wonderful to ski at home, this is where my biggest fan club in the world is and I would truly love it if I had won, Kostelic said.

ZAGREB, CROATIA – Unfortunately, Ivica Kostelic lost to the best slalom skier in the World Cup at the moment, Jean-Baptiste Grange at Mount Sljeme on Tuesday. Seeing how only 0.05 seconds were in question, Ivica does not see it as a big defeat, even though he would have loved winning in front of the home crowd.

“Grange took skiing a step forward”

- It is wonderful to ski at home, this is where my biggest fan club in the world is. Every spectator wants me to win with all their heart and this is an excellent feeling. Although it brings a lot of pressure, it is positive and I can handle it – Ivica described his impressions of the race and repeated that Grange was an excellent slalom skier.

Previously, the competition was quite even, but Grange, according to Croatia’s best skier, took skiing a step forward, a step which he can keep up with, despite his age.

- I`m no longer as young as Jean and it feel great that I can keep up with such a skier`space. Even though I love slalom and every victory in it, one cannot count winning in the total standings without other disciplines – Kostelic said, adding that only his sister Janica was able to win titles with slalom victories, because she could win nine times in a row in this discipline.

Ivica did not forget to praise fellow Croat Dalibor Samsal, whom he helped with joint trainings over the past few weeks.

- I looked forward to the first run Dalibor did more than I looked forward to my own. He has progressed a lot and is an excellent slalom skier, I love training with him, because he is at times faster than me and pushes me to catch someone in practice, which is great for form – Ivica explained.

“It can`t be determined who is better, Ivica or I”

Of course, there is nothing without the audience, it is the most special thing for all the skiers who come to Sljeme, especially Ivica, who knows they were all with him.

- There are tracks with even more spectators, but this is where the most cultured and best audience is. Not every skier is cheered on in other places, which is great, they all love it and remember it. This makes me proud and happy – Ivica, who is currently the fourth skier in the total standings, praised Croatian fans.

Ivica pointed out he was looking forward to the world championship, but to all upcoming races as well, because he feels great, his shoulder is not longer in pain and he is prepared for big things.

His rival of the day, Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Grange, shares his view.

- I`m happy for my win, because Ivica is great and 0.05 seconds is too little to describe anyone as better. It was me now, it was Ivica in Alta Badia. There are plenty of races before us – Grange explained, also praising the organisation and the fans, because something like this does not happen anywhere in the world, according to him.

Therefore, everyone who has put effort into this race, everyone who believed n it, everyone who went to see it and supported the skiers can be proud, because it succeeded. Ivica was on the throne for the second consecutive year, a new name has appeared in the Croatian skiing sky and nobody could have any big regrets about the event. It will be even better next year!

VIDEO: Grange Denies Croatia A Home Winner Again

Zagreb Men`s Slalom Result