Anja Pärson knows what she's talking about.

The 40-year-old has, among other things, won the overall world cup twice and has won the giant slalom cup on three occasions - the last time 16 years ago.

Sara Hector could have been the first Swede to do so since then.

But Hector, who told SVT after her first run that she was "crazy nervous", branched out in round two and missed the chance.

- This is the first time she is in this situation.

It is completely paralyzing and you become like a stiff stick, you have never been so nervous.

Being on the starting line in the Olympics or the World Cup is one thing, but to do it over an entire season and then be able to decide for a few runs at the end is always tough.

When I won the cup with three points before Janica Kostelic, I think both she and I rode our worst of the whole season, says Anja Pärson.

Gives Hector an advantage

As Sara Hector did not get any World Cup points, the big lead has been reduced to only five points down to the Frenchwoman Tessa Worley before the decision in France next weekend.

Mikaela Shiffrin and Petra Vlhova can also get involved in the battle, they are 51 points and 91 points respectively.

However, Pärson sees that it can be to Hector's advantage.

- Sometimes when you lead with type 40 points and can decide, then you know that the other is chasing and can only ride everything she has without having anything to lose.

Now it is basically completely even between three skiers.

Whether Shffrin, Worley or Sara can hold back and I think that can help Sara to go much more relaxed and fight, says Pärson.

"The respect is enormous"

You've done it a few times, how big is it to win the giant slalom cup?

- Winning a cup is one of the biggest things you can do.

The World Cup and the Olympics are really big medals, but the respect you get from winning a cup over a season is enormous.

It also shows that you are the best skier and that you are simply worth it.

Sara has really shown that she is the one who has absolutely ridden best this year.

It would be very sad if she lost it, says Pärson.

She continues:

- I was the last one 16 years ago, it's been sick for a long time, it shows that it is very difficult.

But I think Sara will break it next week.

CLIP: Sara Hector drove out in Åre

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Sara Hector drove out in Åre.

Photo: Bildbyrån