Are: Will Janica Kostelic return? Some have doubts

Janica Kostelic's year off from skiing could very well turn into retirement.

ARE, Sweden — Janica Kostelic's year off from skiing could very well turn into retirement.
    ''Personally I think it's very difficult that she will return,'' Croatia team director Vedran Pavlek told The Associated Press on Friday. ''But you never know. The decision is up to her.''
    Kostelic opted to take this season off because of chronic back and knee pain.
    Pavlek said Kostelic is growing accustomed to her new life away from the slopes, ''relaxing'' with no ''special obligations,'' and living with her boyfriend.
    The 25-year-old Kostelic, who has had 10 knee operations and surgery to remove her thyroid, won her third overall World Cup title last season.
    She also became the most successful female skier in Olympic history when she won gold and silver at the Torino Games last year, adding to her three golds and a silver from Salt Lake City in 2002.
    Kostelic has won 30 World Cup races and earned victories in all five alpine disciplines last season.
    ''What she will decide in the future we will see, in the spring or summer,'' Pavlek said.
    Pavlek spoke in the finish area of the Alpine Skiing World Championships slalom race. Kostelic was the two-time defending slalom world champion.
    Sarka Zahrobska of the Czech Republic won Friday's race.
    Pavlek acknowledged that it was strange not to have Kostelic around for the slalom, her specialty.
    ''I think the course would be good for Janica. She would enjoy skiing here,'' Pavlek said.
    While Kostelic wasn't around, a Croatian skier still almost climbed on the podium, with Ana Jelusic finishing fourth with the fastest second leg.
    ''This fourth place is for us like a medal, because Ana doesn't ski well on the flat courses — she's very light,'' Pavlek said. ''The best time second run is really impressive. She has a good future in front of her.''

— Andrew Dampf, The Associated Press