He is currently 15th in the World Cup standings and the veteran snowboarder said he feels confident he can be in the running for an Olympic medal.
VOA: standard.2010.02.26
Ferrer has a glittering collection of winners medals, including five Spanish championships, the European Cup and an Olympic gold, but fears a cup final exit could also spell the end of his Euro 2000 dream.
In the few weeks prior, he had hit the links with President Barack Obama, and announced his romantic relationship with Olympic and World Cup skier Lindsey Vonn.
But there are more than 600 favelas in the city, and critics say the pacification programme only benefits areas near richer neighbourhoods popular with tourists or Olympic and World Cup venues, our correspondent adds.