Zrinka on a dramatic fight for the Globe: ‘I don’t think I would forgive myself if I hadn’t won it’

Gold letters Sun Valley will be entered in the history of Croatian skiing. As a place where it is Zrinka Ljutić reached her first little crystal globe and interrupted the drought of our skiing, which lasted since 2013. After the ceremony she had to do, Croatian anthem, tears and attempts to gather emotions, she stood in front of the cameras.

– The globe is mine, that was the goal and I achieved it, so I have nothing more to say. I am grateful to my team, family, dad, brothers and sisters I trained with so much, who push me, constantly support me, and I think this would not really happen without it all in combination – said Ljutic after great success.

Photo: Michael Madrid/Reuters

In the giant slalom you flew out of the first race. Did you have a porch before the slalom?

– Well, yes, the giant slalom didn’t go well, but I didn’t bother at all at all, somehow I immediately cooked on the slalom because I knew I actually came here on the slalom, to the globe, the giant slalom was no priority, it was difficult to keep it both, to balance, this season was more in the slalom and I ended up that job, so I didn’t get a lot of time. I was definitely nervous, especially before the first Lauf. I did not do well in this snow, but I knew it wasn’t over and we should have somewhat good Lauf. I was more active here and I skied more without compromise and I think I deserved a globe for it. Globe races are not ordinary races and those skiers competing for the globe are under great pressure and should be viewed separately.

You had a mistake in the final, did you feel when you came into the goal of winning?

– Well, somehow I knew I would take the globe. Of course, there is always some little chance that it doesn’t happen, but I really believed and knew I would take it. I knew it even before this season, but it is definitely frustrating and difficult when these bad results happen and some doubts come. I was never in this position, so it was very difficult on that side, but I think I learned a lot for further. The Globus is not one race, it’s the whole season, and the Globus is a crown of work throughout the season and win it the best of the season.

Photo: Christopher Creveling/Reuters

You were in the slalom this year?

– Yes, the Globe wins through the season is winning, I think these three wins were not accidental, of course and meant something and I knew that if I could win three times and have five or six fastest rides in the season, that I was really competitive for that title. Definitely the season was challenging since I changed the material and I didn’t really have the right to expect anything from that side, but by the way I was able to respect and trade and finally pay off that effort and that change.

You fought for the Globe for the first time and you immediately grabbed it?

– Yes, I don’t think I could forgive myself, even though it was very difficult for me, that I knew I had a chance as I had and did not use it and conquered the Globus. So it was very difficult, especially before the second ride, and these last two races somehow in my head, the one, where I still have to do these two races, but here I have done them and the globe is mine.

Photo: Michael Madrid/Reuters

Do you have plans to celebrate?

– It has to be a celebration, I think this season was extraordinary and we didn’t have a bigger celebration, so the first globe can be the first real celebration – Zrinka concluded.