Ski Racing - October 31, 2011

OUT OF THE GATE

Ivica Kostelic Named AIJS Skieur d’Or

Just before the World Cup opening weekend in Soelden, Austria, the International Association of Ski Journalists (AIJS) awarded defending men’s overall champion Ivica Kostelic of Croatia its “Skieur d’Or” Award. The 31-year old brother of former Skieur d’Or recipient, Janica Kostelic, received a third of the votes from ski journalists from all over the world who recognized his achievements during the 2010- 2011 season, including a string of seven wins in five disciplines last January — a one month World Cup record — and his triumph in Kitz-buehel’s super G. “Key in the journalists’ decision to award Ivica is the fact that he is also admired for his strength of mind, which continuously pushed him forward to become an established ‘all-rounder’ able to excel in all specialties,” said AIJS members in an official statement. “I always enjoy talking to journalist that know what they are talking about in skiing,” said Kostelic at the award ceremony. “The journalists who ask interesting questions and cover the sport well make interviews enjoyable and help the sport.”