Bruised Paerson valued time against Kostelic on piste (News Feature)

By David Hein Feb 18, 2010, 23:42 GMT

Whistler, Canada - Anja Paerson didn't know Thursday morning if she would be able to race any more at the 2010 Games. By the afternoon the Swedish veteran had clinched a sixth Olympic alpine medal and felt honoured to be mentioned in the same breath as Janica Kostelic.

Paerson, 28, benefited from a spill by downhill portion leader Lindsey Vonn to collect the bronze medal in the women's super combined race. It was Paerson's sixth Olympic medal, pulling her even with Croatian Kostelic for the most women's medals.

It was hardly a given, though, that Paerson would race on Thursday - much less compete for a medal. In Wednesday's downhill, Paerson went airborne on the final jump and sailed 60 metres before crashing hard.

'This night I was very nervous I wouldn't run any more races here. But I was very determined,' said Paerson, who had to be helped off the course Wednesday.

'This morning I was very determined. I was feeling much better. All the bruises except the calf were okay.'

Paerson also said she hopes she didn't scare her physio and service man at the start.

'I tried to be as angry as possible at the start. And I knew that if I made the first jump after about 10 seconds that I could make the full course.'

She also admitted to not knowing she was close to equally Kostelic's mark.

'I didn't know I was up for something historic until I came here and some journalists asked about it. I am really proud. It really shows what I have done in my career,' admitted Paerson, who has now won 2006 slalom gold, 2002 giant slalom silver as well as 2002 slalom, 2006 downhill and 2006 combined bronze medals.

'It's pretty amazing what I have done.

Kostelic, however, is officially ranked ahead of Paerson with four golds and two silvers.

Kjetil Andre Aamodt of Norway is alpine's most decorated Olympic skier with eight medals - four golds, two silvers and two bronzes.

Still, Paerson enjoyed her time racing against Kostelic, whose highlight came at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games with three golds and one silver.

'Me and her have been on and off pushing for perfection in skiing. And I managed to be in the same time lap as her and race against her. She was a great person to race against,' said Paerson, who has talked about retiring after this season.

She has collected 41 victories in over 300 World Cup starts to go along with her seven world titles and 2004 and 2005 overall World Cup crowns.

At the post-race press conference, Paerson went in detail, describing her injuries.

'It doesn't matter what side I turned on when I sleep. On my left thigh I have a big bruise. The biggest bruise is on the right side of my butt. In my left calf I have internal bleeding,' the Umea native said.

She was able to joke about it a bit though, saying: 'Maybe I will have some pictures on my website. Normally I don't bruise. So I am proud.'