Janica KO gives Anja edge

Croatian spokesman Ozren Mueller confirmed early on Friday that Kostelic, who has been battling illness throughout the Games, would not start.

The 24-year-old Kostelic, who won her career fourth Olympic gold in the combined event last weekend to become the most successful women Alpine skier in Games history, has had a high pulse rate and a fever.

After finishing fourth in Wednesday's slalom, she told Eurosport that she felt tired and weak and would probably not race in Friday's final women's event of the Alpine programme.

Kostelic had her thyroid gland removed two years ago and has had health problems ever since.

In her absence, Swede Anja Paerson, will be a favourite to take a second gold after her win in the slalom.

Before winning that elusive gold medal, 25-year-old Paerson had taken two bronze medals, in the combined and the downhill. A fourth medal on Friday will see her total rise to four medals, and equal Kostelic's Olympic record. The Croatian won three gold medals and a silver four years ago in Salt Lake City.

Spain's Maria Jose Rienda will also be one to watch after impressing on the giant slalom World Cup circuit recently.