World Champ Kostelic Will 'Pause for a Year'

Four-time Olympic Alpine skiing gold medalist Janica Kostelic won't defend her World Cup overall title this season because of chronic back and knee pain.

The 24-year-old Croatian said yesterday she would "pause for a year and then see what will happen," suggesting she could decide to retire.

"I've decided to take a break this season due to the unbearable pain in my back, my knees and everywhere else," Kostelic said. "It is not an easy decision to make for someone who loves skiing, but I am not a machine."

Kostelic, a veteran of 10 knee operations and thyroid surgery, won her third overall World Cup title last season and posted victories in all five disciplines.

Kostelic said she planned to run a beauty salon during her time away from the ski circuit.

"I am in the process of opening it right now," she said.

-- From News Services