Anja Pärson

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Anja Sofia Tess Pärson (born April 25, 1981 in Umeå) is a Swedish alpine skier winner of four world championships and two overall Alpine Skiing World Cups.

Pärson was introduced to professional skiing by her father, Anders, who is currently her personal coach. She stands 1.70 meters (5 ft 7 in) tall and weighs 81 kg (179 lb). She won the bronze medal in the women's slalom and the silver medal in the giant slalom at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Pärson's athletics club is Fjällvinden, Tärnaby, the same to which belonged Ingemar Stenmark and Stig Strand.

Pärson won the Alpine Skiing World Cup in 2004 and 2005. The latter victory was marked by the shortest edge ever, only 3 points over her fiercest rival, Janica Kostelić. Her first podium result was in the Crans-Montana giant slalom (March 15, 1998). In the December of the same year she scored her first success in the Mammoth Mountain slalom: this was followed by total of 17 victories more in the World Cup. Being initially a specialist of technical specialities, she won her first Super-G in the March 2005 and her first downhill in the January 2006. Pärson has won 34 races in the Alpine Skiing World Cup.

Pärson won also four gold medals in the Alpine Skiing World Championship: in 2001 (slalom), 2003 (Giant slalom) and 2005 (Giant slalom, Super-G). These pair with a silver and a bronze medals in 2005 and 2001, respectively.

After winning the bronze in combined at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, Pärson did not hide her disappointment. Chief rival Janica Kostelic commented on Pärson's attitude: "With this skiing, she should have been happy with bronze."

Pärson currently lives in Monaco.

External links

[Anja Pärson] - Official site
[FIS-Ski.com] - FIS site

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