CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy – New Zealand Alpine skier Alice Robinson is now fully focused on winning gold at the Milano Cortina Olympics in the women's super-G.

The 24-year-old, New Zealand’s most decorated Alpine skier with three World Cup victories this season and a giant slalom silver at last year’s World Championships, had previously suggested she valued the World Cup crystal globe more than an Olympic medal.

"I think now I'm going for the gold medal," Robinson said at a news conference Wednesday, admitting that the excitement of her third Olympics was growing after just a few hours in Cortina. "I've changed my answer on that one."

Robinson could become the first Alpine gold medallist from the Southern Hemisphere. She currently sits second in the super-G World Cup standings, 60 points behind Italy's Sofia Goggia after four of eight events.

On a recent FIS Alpine Pulse podcast, Robinson had jokingly replied "maybe globe" when asked whether she would choose a World Cup globe or Olympic gold.

"It's funny because I think coming into this, thinking about the Olympics for the past year or so, I haven't really thought anything more of it than another race," she said Wednesday. "But in the last week, seeing the hype around the Olympics and getting the uniforms, I'm starting to feel that this race is something more special."

Robinson emphasized that she isn’t feeling extra pressure or nerves, only excitement. "I really want to be here, put my best foot forward, and be a part of it."

She plans to participate in two downhill training sessions, although Thursday’s was cancelled due to heavy snowfall on the Olimpia delle Tofane piste. Robinson will leave Cortina and return on February 10, with the super-G scheduled for February 12 and the giant slalom on February 15.

Robinson is in good shape despite a heavy super-G crash in Tarvisio last month that left her bruised and mentally shaken. "It was one of my biggest crashes. I’m really grateful it wasn’t an injury. I feel a lot better now and more confident on my skis," she said.

She admitted giant slalom has been more challenging recently but reminded that she was winning races just two months ago. "I know I still have it in me to perform really well at this race and give a top performance," Robinson added.

-Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters