The best Slovenian Alpine skier said right after the race: ''If I hadn't won, it would have been ridiculous. Pressure was really big, but I did what was expected of me, though it wasn't easy."

The medals were traditionally handed out by the International SKI Federation President Gian-Franco Kasper, with special track suits conferred by a former US World Cup alpine ski racer Tamara McKinney, who won in Vail in the combined event in 1989, beating Switzerland's Vreni Schneider.

31-year-old Maze from Črna na Koroškem, Slovenia, has two navy blue suits already, made for world champions only. Avstria's Nicole Hosp won silver, and third place went to her fellow Michaela Kirchgasser.

Veil's central square saw less spectators on this week's first working day compared to the weekend, but there are more and more fans coming from Slovenia, too.

L. P., RSi