Muzaferija Unstoppable on Her Way to World Cup Final: I Am Happy and Proud!

(Patria) - The best Bosnian-Herzegovinian alpine skier Elvedina Muzaferija, by earning twenty new points, confirmed her qualification for the Audi FIS Ski World Cup final today in the Super-G discipline as well.

The unstoppable skier from Visoko, with today's 13th place and previously collected points in the downhill discipline, will travel to the final competition in Saalbach, Austria, with the same ranking in both disciplines – 23rd position.

In today's race, held under extremely difficult weather conditions, Muzaferija once again showed that she is in excellent form and was on track for a podium for most of the race.

“The upper part of the course was very, very good. At the last split, I was in a podium position, however, a mistake before the long flat section, where I didn't have enough speed, cost me a lot. Still, I am happy. I qualified for the final in Saalbach, and I think that after such a long day and race stoppages due to fog, this is a pretty good result. The race is from start to finish, and these mistakes cost me a lot,” said Muzaferija, whose time at the finish line was 1:39.09.

She emphasized that she has been feeling better and better on her skis lately.

“I have been very happy on my skis for the last two months. I am enjoying it, and I think that is one of the main reasons for the good results lately. But again, I regret that this is only happening at the end of the season,” Muzaferija admitted honestly.

Until the final in Saalbach, Austria, which is scheduled from March 22 to 24, we have a long list of all the results with which Muzaferija, in a short time, has entered the annals of Bosnian-Herzegovinian skiing.

“This is the first time someone from Bosnia and Herzegovina is going to the World Cup final, I am truly happy and proud. I will try to ski as well as possible in Saalbach and I hope for a good result, because now I know I can be very fast on certain parts of the course.”

When asked by journalist Patrick S. Lang, who spoke with Muzaferija at the finish line in Kvitfjell, if her current performance on the track has anything to do with the energy of the Visoko pyramids, the skier replied with a smile:

“It could be that we have a lot of energy. In my hometown, it is believed that we don't really feel that energy because we live there all the time, but I am glad that Visoko has tourist attractions and that people from all over the world hear about Visoko and Bosnia and Herzegovina,” added the cheerful skier.

Lang visited Bjelašnica during the 1987 World Cup final race and asked her if she wished for the return of the World Cup to her country. He was also interested in how her successes influence young people, especially those in the Ski Club “ZE-2010”, of which she is a member.

“I am very happy for all the children who will come to the Europa Cup and World Cup in a few years. I think this only encourages them to continue training, even if there might be a worse season. They need to believe in themselves, a good result must come,” said Elvedina, adding that Bosnia and Herzegovina has great potential for bringing the World Cup back to its mountains.

The second Super-G race in Kvitfjell brought victory to Federica Brignone, who was one second and 79 hundredths faster than Muzaferija, with Lara Gut-Behrami in second place and Ester Ledecká taking third.