Kristina Koznick (USA)
|
|
It was a breakthrough season for Koznick, placing in the top-three four times and finishing fourth in four other races. Last season Koznick seemed to lack focus, or training, or both and she stood on the podium only twice. She had a disastrous slalom run at the Vail World Championships on home soil - skiing out of the course. It has taken Koznick a long time to realize her talent. She was just 17 in '93 when she scored her first World Cup top-10 finish in Åre. It remained her best result until the start of the '98 season. In '97, Koznick, from St. Paul, MN, could not train hard because of intense back pains. Earlier in her career Kristina had several injuries that hampered her development, including torn knee ligaments and foot problems. Fortunately her back trouble cleared up.
The rest, as they say, is history. She started her rise to the top in November '97 with a fourth place in slalom at Park City, which boosted her confidence. Those top-four results built from race to race until her crowning success in a night slalom at Are, Sweden. In fact, Koz likes to ski under the lights. That's the way she grew up in chilly Minnesota where she skied each night after school.
Kristina Koznick is a rough and tumble go-getter. She could get back on track with a victory in Copper Mountain on Nov. 20th, just days before celebrating her 24th birthday on Nov. 24th. It would be an important result for her self confidence. She recently changed ski suppliers last summer to Volkl, the same brand that has seen successes by Alexandra Meissnitzer, Anita Wachter and other top-skiers such as Switzerland's Sonja Nef, winner earlier this winter in Tignes, France.
— Patrick Lange, MountainZone.com World Cup Correspondent