Kostelic out to defend at alpine skiing World Cup

Croatia's Ivica Kostelic believes another late-season victory flurry could prove key to a successful defence of his World Cup title after an off-season marked by recovery from knee surgery. The 2012 World Cup season begins this weekend when the men and women get the chance to guage both form and equipment set-ups, following months of heavy training on and off southern hemisphere glaciers, during giant slaloms at Soelden in Austria. Kostelic, the brother of retired women's alpine legend Janica, secured his maiden overall crown in March with a 400-point cushion on Swiss speed event specialist Didier Cuche. His impressive tally of 1356 points was down largely to a streak of seven wins from 14 races in the month of January alone. But having undergone knee surgery to remove cartilage in April, Kostelic warned he is unlikely to be the early pacesetter. Instead, he is hoping solid physical form helps get him through the opening events before experience, and the momentum garnered by possible future victories, takes over mid-season. "Talking in terms of plans wouldn't be quite right here, because you're either in good form or you aren't," Kostelic told www.fischersports.com. "I always give what I can; sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. I had surgery in spring and couldn't ski until July, unlike other years. Perhaps my form will come even later this time." Kostelic, who is hoping only for a "top 20" place this weekend, believes he can still be in contention for a second overall title. "My knee is perfectly OK," he added. "If I manage to stay fit and healthy then there is no reason why I shouldn't have a successful season." "I'd like to stay at the top. Plus I'd like to improve in downhill and giant slalom." Among those missing from Soelden will be French slalom world champion Jean-Baptiste Grange, who will open his account on November 13 in Levi, Finland as he continues his search for peak fitness following left shoulder surgery in March. American Bode Miller, a modest 14th overall in 2011, is set to continue his maverick approach to the World Cup series by selectively choosing races in which he wants to compete. After this weekend's action a three-week break ensues before the World Cup heads to the Levi Black run for the slaloms. The North American leg of the series then takes over with races at Lake Louise, Canada and Aspen and Beaver Creek in the USA before returning to Europe at Val d'Isere in the French Alps at the start of December. One of the anticipated dates will be February 8-12 (men) and 15-19 (women) when the Russian resort of Sochi hosts the first test events for the 2014 winter Olympics.