Anja Paerson of Sweden wins overall World Cup title for 2004-2005

Anja Paerson of Sweden wins overall World Cup title for 2004-2005Anja Paerson of Sweden has won the women’s overall World Cup title for the second year in a row, barely escaping a difficult battle with her friend and rival Janica Kostelic of Croatia. Paerson finished the season with 1,359 World Cup points, and Kostelic was close behind with 1,356. Incredibly, the difference in fate came down to 0.09 seconds in the final race of the season.

“Everything came a little bit easier last year,” said Paerson, who crushed the competition last year, outdoing the runner up by more than 200 points. “Coming here and winning the overall just proved how strong I can be.”

Paerson spoke about how hard the season was on her body. To win the World Cup, Paerson had to go on the road for the entire winter, forgoing the luxuries that specialists get to enjoy, like rest periods, training and equipment testing. ‘For me, the real season begins in Aspen’ said Paerson in October. ‘It’s a big challenge to go for all five events this year. I’m going to pack my bag next week and not go home until March.’

For the entire season, the competition for the women’s overall title was a three-horse race between Anja Paerson, Tanja Poutiainen and Janica Kostelic. ‘They are Anja and Tanja’ joked Kostelic in November. ‘Maybe I should change my name so it rhymes with that. Maybe ‘Banja.”

Kostelic’s performance is all the more remarkable considering that this was her comeback season after a long break, during which she suffered from Basedov’s disease, an illness that required the removal of her thyroid gland. Nonetheless, she raced the Aspen slalom in November, and won it more than 600 days after she had last competed in that event (after the race, she spoke about her illness , which compromised her eyesight).

Paerson, who won the first race of the season at Soelden in late October, welcomed Kostelic’s return, saying she needed a rival to keep her sharp. ‘When you have only yourself to look at, it is hard’ she said at that race. ‘I love to fight with other girls, so I’m very happy that she is back.’

The last ten women’s World Cup overall titles have gone to skiers from a diversity of nations. Vreni Schneider of Switzerland won in 1995, followed by Katja Seitzinger of Germany in 1996, Pernilla Wiberg of Sweden in 1997, Seitzinger again in 1998, Alexandra Meissnitzer of Austria in 1999, Renate Goetschl of Austria in 2000, Janica Kostelic of Croatia in 2001, Michaela Dorfmeister of Austria in 2002, Kostelic again in 2003 and Anja Pearson of Sweden in 2004.

Women’s Overall
1. Anja Paerson, SWE 1359
Her second consecutive overall title. She is the third Swede to claim a overall title after Pernilla Wiberg (’97) and Ingemar Stenmark ’76-’77 & ’78.
2. Janica Kostelic, CRO 1356
3. Renate Goetschl, AUT 1164
4. Michaela Dorfmeister, AUT 1122
5. Tanja Poutiainen, FIN 1039
6. Lindsey Kildow, USA 914
9. Julia Mancuso, USA 659
15. Kristina Koznick, USA 432
17. Sarah Schleper, USA 423
20. Emily Brydon, CAN 341
22. Caroline Lalive, USA 286
23. Genevieve Simard, CAN 284
30. Kirsten Clark, USA 239
40. Allison Forsyth, CAN 175
45. Resi Stiegler, USA 164
55. Kelly Vanderbeek, CAN 121
57. Bryna McCarty, USA 105
60. Gail Kelly, CAN 92
64. Jonna Mendes, USA 82
67. Brigitte Acton, CAN 68
77. Britt Janyk, CAN 31
78. Libby Ludlow, USA 30
90. Melanie Turgeon, CAN 16
90. Sophie Splawinski, CAN 16
93. Kaylin Richardson, USA 15
102. Lauren Ross, USA 10
107. Anne Marie LeFrancois, CAN 7
112. Sherry Lawrence, CAN 5