Smigun to return to skiing

  • 2009-03-31
  • From wire reports
TALLINN - Kristina Smigun-Vahi of Estonia,twice Olympic champion in Nordic skiing,has begun training again in hopes of winning another medal.

Smigun-Vahi said she is not certain she can do it, butthat she sees no point in making an effort for a lower goalthan an Olympic medal, the online edition of the dailyOhtuleht reports.

More serious work will start in May and last through the summer, the 32-year-old said. "I'll wait and see at theend of summer what my body and spirit tell me -- whether I'mready and able to get myself back in top form," Smigun said."The usual running tests in summer must show how good a formI can achieve. It has to be clear by September whether I'llcontinue preparation with the aim of taking a medal at theVancouver Olympic Games."

Smigun added that even if she likes skiing very much she will not start training hard just for the pleasure of itbut with a definite goal.

"I wouldn't go to Vancouver with the aim of placing tenth," she said. "If my performance there were so poor I'dcry!"

Smigun gave birth to a daughter last year.