Paerson: New skis, new coach, new outlook on '09

Anja Paerson has resumed training after taking July off, focused on getting her body in shape, continuing to tweak her new equipment setup and prepping for a World Cup season with a new speed coach.
    “Sure I have tried to take some time off, like a normal person,” Paerson said of the one month of the year when she doesn’t ski. “I have, among other things, been at home in Monaco and enjoyed the Mediterranean properly.”
    This winter Paerson will begin skiing on Head skis. Since the first day she has felt that the change will be positive. “I have tried to change many things in my technique and have worked hard with that in training during the spring and summer,” she said “My feeling is that I will have enough time to find the right material and learn to use it well before the season starts.”

ANJA PAERSON has resumed training after taking July off, getting her body in shape, continuing to tweak her new equipment setup and prepping for a World Cup season with a new speed cosch.
    “Sure I have tried to take some time off, like a normal person,” Paerson said of the one month of the year when she doesn’t ski. “I have, among other things, been at home in Monaco and enjoyed the Mediterranean properly.”
    Traditionally, the Crown Princess of Sweden’s birthday is celebrated at the castle on Öland, and in connection with that, the Victoria Scholarship is presented to the Swedish athlete who performed what is considered the most exceptional feat during the past year (this year's scholarship went to the track and field athlete Susanna Kallur). This year was the award's 30th anniversary and many of Sweden’s best athletes attended the ceremony, including Paerson.
    “It feels wonderful to receive inspiration, pep talk and support from athletes like Ingemar Stenmark, Stig Strand, Jan-Ove Waldner and Carolina Klüft.”
    This winter Paerson will begin skiing on Head skis. Since the first day she has felt that the change will be positive. “I have tried to change many things in my technique and have worked hard with that in training during the spring and summer,” she said “My feeling is that I will have enough time to find the right material and learn to use it well before the season starts.”
    At Head, Anja joined a team with many accomplished athletes, among German Maria Riesch, American Bode Miller, Austria’s Hermann Maier and Sarka Zahrobska of the Czech Republic. Paerson finds it terrific to be able to work with other great skiers.
    “In recent years I have pushed really hard at the material, because I have been quite alone at my last brand [Salomon]. I have a good feeling in my feet and I know most of the time in what direction I want the material to go. Now we can be faster to get good material, and focus more on the small details and on finding peace in training with skis we know work and are effective at their purpose.”
    This season, Ulf Emilsson will be the new speed coach for the Swedish women’s team. Emilsson has been on the men’s World Cup for many years, and most recently, the coach for Aksel Lund Svindal.
    “During the season it is always hard to have the time for all the different events, to stay in a constant form and to win many competitions,” Paerson said. “Ulf has the routine to train athletes that compete in all events and he knows how to find the time to train and compete. It is also good to have a coach from the men's tour, who can give me tougher lines in the downhill that he knows I am capable of.”
    Paerson says she has no specific goals for this season, but plans to take it one day at a time, enjoy skiing and have fun. “Last year I suffered from large motivational problems, and this year I see that the most important for me is to have fun every day and to enjoy my time as a skier.”
    Years with championships are always stressful, as the competition schedule is tight. “In the skiing world you must have many plan B’s, being adaptable and flexible is a high priority. I usually do not decide anything before the season. When it comes closer I will see what to do.
    “You must know for yourself what is best for you: if the best thing is to keep away, in quiet, to find your calm or if you have to give it all in any one competition to feel the tempo and to find the confidence.”

    — FIS Newsflash