Worlds profiles: Watch out for another Croatian

Keep an eye on Croatian Natko Zrncic-Dim. Despite wearing bib No. 42 going into the first world championship downhill training at Val d’Isere, he was the third fastest racer down the jagged and icy Bellevarde piste and just might have more surprises up his sleeve. It helps that Val d’Isere is his all-time favorite ski resort and the site of his first World Cup points in 2005 and first Cup podium last season, which he followed up with another bronze finish in combined this season at Kitzbuehel. He likes to take walks with the ladies to decompress after races.Keep an eye on Croatian Natko Zrncic-Dim. Despite wearing bib No. 42 going into the first world championship downhill training at Val d’Isere, he was the third fastest racer down the jagged and icy Bellevarde piste and just might have more surprises up his sleeve. It helps that Val d’Isere is his all-time favorite ski resort and the site of his first World Cup points in 2005 and first Cup podium last season, which he followed up with another bronze finish in combined this season at Kitzbuehel. He likes to take walks with the ladies to decompress after races.

What do you tell yourself when you’re in the start gate?

I say to myself, “I need to do this correct.”  Then, from every gate, I have in my mind what I need to do, and that’s the only secret. Visualizing what I need to do in exactly every place. I’m not thinking about time and finish, just do my best run. Not only at the start, I’m doing that when I’m going down also. I’m telling myself if I need to make a better turn and somethings like that. You need to think for two minutes, or however long the course is. You need to stop thinking only when you stop in the finish and your race is over.

Is there something you like to do right after a race?

I like to go to walk with some girl … maybe have some juice or beer. I just like to hang out with a girl and walk, if I can … if I can find one. I’m relaxing like that. That’s the best way to relax for me.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not on skis?

I used to play hockey; I like that sport a lot. I like sailing … I have a boat in Croatia. I like to read books, watch films and hang out with friends.

Val d’Isere is a special place for you. Why?

I like Val d’isere very much. It’s my dearest ski resort. I used to come here when I was a child and do children’s races with my father and with my team. Then I won my first World Cup points here in super-combined three years ago, then I got third in combined here last year. Also, it’s great for skiing. You can ski for seven days on completely new slopes. I feel comfortable here in Val d’Isere. It’s like my home.