Are: Resurgent Goetschl happy she didn't retire

ARE, Sweden — Renate Goetschl was sitting on a beach in the Canary Islands contemplating retirement when the World Cup circuit was racing here at the end of last season.
    After undergoing surgery to repair a recurring right knee problem and switching ski brands, she decided to return for at least one more season.
    It's been quite a return.
ARE, Sweden — Renate Goetschl was sitting on a beach in the Canary Islands contemplating retirement when the World Cup circuit was racing here at the end of last season.
    After undergoing surgery to repair a recurring right knee problem and switching ski brands, she decided to return for at least one more season.
    It's been quite a return.
    Goetschl has won six races this season and vaulted atop the overall World Cup standings last weekend with two victories and one runner-up finish in San Sicario, Italy. She enters Sunday's super G at the World Championships as the favorite.
    "This season is going better than anyone expected,'' Goetschl said. ''If I get something more at these championships it will be almost perfect.''
    Goetschl has won three of five super Gs this season and isn't concerned that she doesn't know the women's course in Are. While she was in the Canary Islands, her rivals competed on the new course at the World Cup Finals last year.
    ''It doesn't matter in the present situation,'' the experienced Austrian said. ''I don't really think about that too much. I feel good.''
    Goetschl's top challengers should be Americans Julia Mancuso and Lindsey Kildow, who have each won a super G this season. Mancuso took the bronze medal in the discipline at the last worlds.
    ''We've been challenging her [Goetschl] a couple of times this year and beating her,'' U.S. speed coach Alex Hoedlmoser said. Goetschl ''needs to have a perfect run to beat those girls.''
    Anja Paerson of Sweden is the defending world champion in super G and will have the support of the home fans.
    Olympic super-G champion Michaela Dorfmeister retired at the end of last season. But Austria's team is still loaded.
    Nicole Hosp was twice runner-up in super G this season and Christine Sponring is coming off two third-place finishes in San Sicario.
    Hosp won the super G here at last year's Finals.
    ''It's the first time I know a course better than [Goetschl] does,'' said Hosp, 23. ''Usually it's the other way around.''
    Alexandra Meissnitzer is the fourth super G starter for Austria.
    Meissnitzer, who will likely retire at the end of this season, won the super G at the 1999 worlds in Vail, Colorado, and took bronze at the 1998 Nagano Olympics and last year's Torino Games. Her best World Cup finish this season was fourth in Reiteralm, Austria, in December.
    ''I haven't been having the best season so I'm glad to make it,'' Meissnitzer said.
    The men's super G on Saturday was postponed due to strong winds, making the women's race the opening event of the championship.
    ''I just hope the weather is good and the conditions are fair for everyone,'' Meissnitzer said.
    Canadians Kelly VanderBeek and Britt Janyk are poised for a breakthrough. VanderBeek has one third-place finish and one fifth in super G this season and finished fourth at last year's Torino Olympics. Janyk finished fourth in both super G's in San Sicario last weekend.
    Goetschl has won 44 World Cup races in her career — third on the all-time list — but has never been a great performer at worlds or Olympics. Her best super G result at a major championship was silver at the 1999 worlds behind Meissnitzer.
    ''I'm not nervous. I know what to do,'' Goetschl said. ''I treat every race as a world championship. It's just different to everyone else.''

— The Associated Press