Date: 11/02/03 Maria Despas made the finals in the final event of her career, in Steamboat, Colorado, over the weekend. The 35 year-old veteran announced her decision to quit the circuit at the end of the current season, and with the OWI not sending a team to the remaining events in Japan and Norway, Steamboat became her last World Cup competition. The highlight of a career which began in 1990 was the silver medal Maria won at the 2001 World Championships in Whistler, Canada, and her fifth placing in dual moguls in both the 1999 and 2003 world titles. In all, she had 117 starts in World Cup for a career-high end of season ranking of tenth in 2001. She represented Australia in two Olympic Games and seven world championships, and was named Australian Skier of the Year in 2001. Manuela Berchtold finished in 21st place in the Steamboat event, with Jane Sexton in 24th. In the men’s, Adrian Costa was 32nd and Michael Robertson 33rd.

Maria Despas with Adrian Costa Maria Despas with OWI Head Mogul Coach Steve Desovich at the 2003 Championships