I planned to stop in 2002 after the Salt Lake City Olympics. I felt able to remain competitive another four years, and I wanted to stop while I'm still at the top.

I still have more to fight for in the coming years.

I'm happy to belong to this group of top champions having excelled here.

I sat down with my trainers to check my past seasons and to see what could be done to keep me motivated and in good shape. I had to find a new motivation, a new momentum.

It's good to ski for fun, but I still want to win races as often as possible.

Franz Klammer was my great idol in my younger years.

I trained well this week but I think it will take some time until I recover my best rhythm in this specialty.