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Wednesday, 20th February 2002 : Heavy snow and poor visibility affected today's women's slalom race at Deer Valley. Croatia's Janica Kostelic did not let the weather distract her from winning her third medal of the Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games. Janica won the gold medal with a combined time of 1:46:10. Laure Pequegnot of France finished 0.07 seconds behind her with Anja Pearson of Sweden completing the podium with a bronze medal in a time of 1:47:09. The sheer volume of snow on the race course meant that 30 skiers didn't finish race.

The slalom is Janica's preferred discipline in the alpine events. During the 2000 / 2001 season she won a record of seven of the eight world cup races, but since her knee injury and surgery during the summer of 2001, she had not managed to win a world cup race since.

This is the third medal Janica has won in the three events that she has taken part in during these Games. Even though she is the only athlete to have won an Olympic medal for Croatia in the Olympic Winter Games, she is looking forward to her brother, Ivica, racing in the Giant Slalom on 21st February so that this honour can be shared.

Janica will race in the Giant Slalom on 22nd February and will be aiming to win her fourth medal of the Salt Lake City Olympic Games. On the pressure that this puts on her she said "I didn't really expect any of the medals, so I'm just really happy with what I have done. When you ask me if I want another one, for sure I want it. But if it doesn't happen, it doesn't matter. I still have two more Olympics in front of me."

This is your third medal at the Games... Is this the sweetest victory for you?
Janica Kostelic: ... It's a nice victory, it is my third medal at the Games but I preferred receiving the medal in Combined...

How did the snow and weather conditions affect your strategy?
J.K: It was really bad... There are no words to describe it...

How did you feel before your second race?
J.K: ... Ok I did not feel nervous or under pressure... I was just having fun.

One more race to go. Are you feeling relaxed and are you looking forward to the end of the Games?
J.K: I am done. That is what I said after my first medal. What may happen is fine with me... You know I have won three medals...

Do you have a message for your fans and supporters?
J.K: They have to support my brother now. He is more important.

Are you going to see your brother race?
J.K: Not tomorrow. I want to rest and do some training because I have to race again on Friday.

• Listen to Janica's interview