KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia -- Benjamin Raich has reached a World Cup podium for the 91st -- and probably last -- time in his career at the same resort where he earned his first top-three finish 15 years ago. The 36-year-old Austrian, who is considering retirement after the season, came runner-up to Olympic champion Ted Ligety in a giant slalom on the Podkoren course on Saturday. As a 21-year-old, Raich finished third in a slalom here on Jan. 6, 1999. Raich was only 17th after the opening leg but posted the fastest time in a blistering second run to get his first World Cup podium since winning a super-G in Crans Montana Switzerland, in February 2012. Raich said he never lost faith in his skiing despite failing to reach a podium for the last two years. Even his persistent back problems getting worse in January didnt hit his confidence. "I knew I still have a fast turn but, if youre not in good health, you cant race that good," Raich said. "Ive always had back problems in my career. Three, four days, then it was gone. This year it was more than a month." The injury hampered his buildup to the Sochi Olympics, and finally forced him to skip the super-combined race in Sochi. It wasnt Raichs first mishap in the Olympic season. He needed weeks to recover following an accident while riding his off-road motorbike in early August. The 80-kilogram bike rolled over on steep terrain and landed on his right leg, but Raich escaped with a torn muscle in his thigh. "I had a really tough season," Raich said. "It was not easy, it was not fun. But after preparing for the Olympics, I had a really good feeling. I was in good health. And now I am back on the podium -- as I believed." Raich won the overall title in 2006 and finished runner-up five times, including in the 2008-09 season when Aksel Lund Svindal edged him by two points. Raich also won 11 medals at major championships, including two golds at the 2006 Turin Olympics. Not having to prove anything to anybody, Raich can compete without pressure -- just like in the early days of his career. "My first podium in Kranjska Gora, I felt very free," Raich said. "Afterward you have big goals and you know everyone wants to see you on the podium. So there was more pressure then but I handled that always very well." Austria mens head coach Mathias Berthold said he wasnt taken aback by Raichs podium finish. "I was only surprised by the way he did it, coming from 17th with a sensational second run," Berthold said. "Since his back problems are gone, he has progressed extremely well." Berthold said he will speak with Raich about next season -- but not before the current campaign is over. "We let the World Cup finals go by," Berthold said. "Its not good to discuss long-term plans while your focus should be on a race the next day." Raich has said before that he will take his decision regardless of the career plans of longterm girlfriend Marlies Schild. The 32-year-old slalom specialist won a record 35th slalom race in December, and she is also yet to decide whether shell remain on the World Cup. Norways Henrik Kristoffersen, who trailed the 17-year-older Raich in third for his first career GS podium, said Raich was his idol when following ski racing as a kid. "I think today Benni was the most impressive skier," Kristoffersen said. "I watched him when I grew up and I remember my dad (Lars Kristoffersen) telling me that Benni had the cleanest turn and he was the best in GS." Raich smiled when hearing Kristoffersens words. "Its nice to be on the podium next to him," Raich said. "Because he is the future and I am the past." Nike NBA Jerseys 2020 . Right-hander Todd Redmond took the loss. Jose Bautista hit his second home run of the spring. 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He finished with 457 points (109 goals, 348 assists) and a plus-160 rating over his career.London, England (SportsNetwork.com) - Arsenal legend Thierry Henry formally announced his retirement Tuesday, bringing an end to an illustrious career that spanned more than 20 years. He will now move to London to join Sky Sports as a television pundit. The Frenchman leaves the game as one of the most prolific strikers of his generation, recording more than 350 goals across all competitions. It has been an incredible journey and I would like to thank all the fans, teammates and individuals involved with AS Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona, the New York Red Bulls and of course the French national team that have made my time in the game so special, the 37-year-old wrote on his official Facebook page. Henry began his professional career in 1994 with French club AS Monaco, where he won the 1996-97 Ligue 1 title and earned Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year honors. He moved to Arsenal in 1999 after a brief stint with Juventus and experienced a tremendous amount of success with the Gunners.ddddddddddddHenry led Arsenal to two Premier League titles (2002, 2004) and three FA Cup trophies (2002, 2003, 2005) while leading the club to a fabled unbeaten Premier League season in 2003-04. Henry made the switch to Barcelona in 2007 and helped the Catalans earn consecutive La Liga titles in 2009 and 2010 as well as a UEFA Champions League title in 2009. After three years at Camp Nou, Henry moved to MLS to join Red Bull New York where he scored 51 goals and added 42 assists in 122 regular-season appearances. He also guided New York to its first piece of major silverware, helping the club win the 2013 Supporters Shield. Henry earned 123 caps for the French national team and was a member of the nations World Cup triumph on home soil in 1998. He also featured for France in the three subsequent World Cup tournaments, suffering premature exits in 2002 and 2010 while leading the nation to a second-place finish in 2006. ' ' '