BEST FINNISH DOWNHILL DRIVER EVER

CYCLIST OF THE YEAR IN FINLAND
1999 and 1997.

RESULTS:
2000
World Cup, Leysin, Switzerland 14.
World Cup, Kaprun, Austria 8.
World Cup, Arai, Japan 4.
World Cup #5, Vail, Colorado, USA 3.
Gorge Games, Mt. Hood, Oregon , USA 1.
World Cup #4 Mont Sainte-Anne, Canada 3.
Vermont, Mount Snow, Norba Race 8.
World Championships in Spain 2.
World Cup at Maribor, Slovenia 4.
World Cup, Cortina, Italy 7.
Swiss/German Cup, Todtnau 3.
Finnish Cup, Meri-Teijo 1.
X-games 9.

1999
Multivan Cup, Germany 2.
World Cup, France 5.
World Cup, Slovenia 3.
World Cup, Italia 6.
World Cup, USA 6.
World Cup, USA 3.
Nordic Champs, Finland 1.
World Cup, Canada 5.
World Cup, Canada 2.
World Cup, Austria 6.
World Cup, Total points 3.
Quest competition, Japan 1.
World Champs, Sweden 2.

1998
Italian Cup, Nevegal 3.
World Cup, Italia 6.
World Cup, France 9.
World Cup, USA 4.
World Cup, USA 9.
European Champs, Tchez 2.
Finnish Champs, Rovaniemi 1.
World Champs, Canada 18.

1997
World Cup, South-Africa 10.
Diesel, South-Africa - DS 10.
Diesel, Italy - DS 3.
World Cup, Spain 13.
World Cup, Canada 10.
World Cup, USA 10.
Diesel, USA - DS 4.
Scandinavian Champs, Sweden 2.
World Cup, Austria 12.
European Champs, France 7.
World Champs, Switzerland 3.
World Champs (unofficial) - DS 1.

1996
Avalanche Cup, France 2.
Swatch Dual Night, Switzerland - DS 1.
European Champs, Italy 8.
European Champs, Italy - DS 2.
Reebok Cup, Spain - DS 3.
Reebok Cup, Austria - DS 3.
World Champs, Australia 11.
World Champs, Australia - DS 4.
World Cup, Spain 7.
World Cup, Italy 7.
European Champs, Italy 8.

1995
Nordic champs 1.
Avalanche Cup, France 2.
European Champs, Tseck 7.
European Champs, Tseck - DS 1.
Norba Cup, USA - DS 2.
Reebok Cup, Canada - DS 2.
World Champs, Germany 7.

1994
Nordic Champs 1.
European Champs, France 4.
World Champs, USA 8.
Seven Up Cup, Norway 1.

1993
Finnish Champs 1.
Nordic Champs 1.
European Champs 10.
World Cup Total points 13.


KATJA MADE DECISION TO RETIRE.

It has been in my mind for a long time to inform all of you that I have decided to retire.
I made my decision for two months ago. I wanted to race a couple of more years but I did not find a team. I got a couple of offers but not what I needed and wanted to be able to win - so I had to refuse from the offers. I was negotiating with one good team until the beginning of this year. But they told me in February that they did not get the additional sponsor they were looking for.
The decision was very hard to make but I did not have many choices. I have been very sad and there has been a lot of tears. It is still difficult to think that I am not racing anymore.
I could have raced with small money. I should have worked in winter. It is a shame. I have improved my riding and got good results but because of the situation in bicycle industry my salary would have been very low. I was not sure if I would have been motivated enough to be able to compete on the very top level. There are also many risks in downhilling. So I decided to retire on a top level. I thought it would be better to do so than to retire after you notice you are not able to achieve good results anymore. My second last race was my first and last win in WC. For sure I would have liked to continue that. That is one reason it was so hard to retire.

I want to thank all the support I got. It was my pleasure to be in the best team – Team GT. Thank to all the members in Team GT you are the BEST. I also had the best equipment that is available out there. I want to thank all my sponsor – specially the sponsors I worked close to - Rock Shox (all of you), Smith, Maxxis (Lluis Marias) and Giro. Special thank to my mechanic Andy Kyffin, trainer Vesa Mattila and psychic trainer Ahti Vilpas. I also want to thank Steve Peat, Fabien Barel and Matti Lehikoinen. You helped me when I needed some encouragement in jumping. You also helped me to see better lines. I wish all of you many wins and healthy season. I am going to miss all of you and the race circuit.

Best regards

Katja Repo