Paerson, Vonn separated by hunger for success

Posted: March 14, 2012 at 5:40 pm


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SCHLADMING, Austria (AP)With all Lindsey Vonn and Anja Paerson have in common, one major difference has been separating the two skiing greats this seasontheir appetite for winning.

Whereas overall champion Vonn is more hungry for victories and records than ever, Paerson has lost her motivation and will retire after Thursdays super-G at the World Cup finals.

For me it has not been really about winning races anymore this season, said the 30-year-old Paerson, who has been struggling with a persistent left knee injury. Thats where I felt I wasnt the same in ski racing anymore.

Vonn and Paerson are two of only five female skiers to have won World Cup races in all five Alpine disciplines. Petra Kronberger of Austria, Pernilla Wiberg of Sweden and Janica Kostelic of Croatia also managed the feat.

Paerson led Vonn 42-41 in World Cup wins going into the current season, but the Swede failed to win a race and has been heavily outscored by her American opponent, who added 12 titlesa personal bestto her total.

Vonns most recent win came in Wednesdays downhill, a race Paerson watched from the stands.

It was not fun to watch the race. I think I could have won it, Paerson said.

After winning gold in slalom at the 2006 Turin Olympicsone of her 19 medals at major championshipsPaerson decided to continue her career for four more years.

I took a big step in 2006, she said. To be a four-discipline skier is very hard so I decided to stop after Vancouver. It was my big goal to come to the Olympics one more time.

In 2010, Paerson won her sixth Olympic medalbronze in the combined event and backed down on her decision. She felt it was too early to quit and decided to stay on the circuit for one more season.

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Paerson, Vonn separated by hunger for success

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March 14th, 2012 at 5:40 pm

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