Kostelic secures World Cup's overall title

Janica Kostelic of Croatia clears a gate during the World Cup women's slalom finals in Are, Sweden. Kostelic clinched the women's World Cup overall title. PHOTO: AFP

Janica Kostelic clinched the women's World Cup overall title unexpectedly early on Thursday, while Bode Miller showed late form to win a men's super-G and Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal walked away with his discipline globe.

Kostelic of Croatia finished only fourth in the women's super-G finale won by Austria's Nicole Hosp, but capitalized on rival Anja Paerson's surprise exit to pocket her third overall title.

"I did not expect to win the globe today," Kostelic said. "I didn't think she [Paerson] would ski out. She was skiing good and on her home terrain. I thought it would be harder."

The two-time defending overall champion's race lasted only a few seconds. Paerson skied out after the third gate on the new 1,903m WM Strecke course that will be used for next year's World Championships.

Hosp clocked 1 minute, 19.45 seconds. Austria's Michaela Dorfmeister, who had already locked up the super-G title, was second, 0.27 back. Germany's Martina Ertl-Renz was third, 0.43 off the pace.

By placing fourth, Kostelic moved to 1,770 points, 204 ahead of Paerson in the overall standings. There are only two races left -- a slalom and a giant slalom -- at the World Cup Finals. A win is worth 100 points.

"It was pretty sad that it ended so early," Paerson said. "I feel kind of empty."

Along with Paerson, Kostelic expects promising young Austrian skiers Hosp, Kathrin Zettel and Marlies Schild to contend for the overall next year.

"They're strong and young skiers," Kostelic said. "They ski all four events and are improving."

Dorfmeister topped the final super-G standings with 626 points. Teammate Alexandra Meissnitzer was runner-up with 437 and Nadia Styger of Switzerland was third with 360.

Miller and Daron Rahlves led a 1-2 American finish in men's super-G, while Svindal clinched the discipline title with a third-place finish.

Miller won the discipline globe last season, ending Austria's seven-year possession of the super-G title.

Svindal's triumph marked a changing of the guard on the Norwegian team.

Lasse Kjus, the 1994 Olympic super-G champion, was presented with a white bib with ``Retired'' written on it in red letters in the finish area and celebrated with his fellow skiers on a couch set up in the snow, enjoying cake and champagne.

"I guess this is kind of symbolic that I won the super-G title the day he [Kjus] quits," Svindal said. "I would love him to go on forever. But he's being honest with himself. He's prepared to move on."

Kjus, 35, had said he would quit only when it was clear there were younger Norwegian skiers ready to take over. Kjus ended his 17-year career in 13th place.

Miller reached winning form after returning from last month's Olympics without a medal.