Vonn wins 3rd straight ski title
Written by on March 12th, 2010 in Latest News.
Lindsey Vonn of the United States poses with her trophies for the overall World Cup title and the super-G discipline honours. (Armando Trovati/Associated Press)
Lindsey Vonn of the United States on Friday became the first women’s skier in 18 years to win three consecutive overall World Cup titles.
Vonn achieved the feat in style, winning the final World Cup super-G of the season despite an array of injuries. She crossed the line in one minute 19.30 seconds in the race at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
Vonn fell during Thursday’s giant slalom, adding a knee bruise to other injuries to her shin and right pinkie finger.
She is the first to win three consecutive season titles since Petra Kronberger of Austria in 1990-92.
“The last few years have gone really well for me,” Vonn said. “I’m so pleased everything went well for me this year. It’s so hard to say whether you’ll be able to win the overall title. To stand here in the end and have a title in my hand is so rewarding.”
The 25-year-ancient Vail, Colo., native was crowned even before taking off, when friend and rival Maria Riesch of Germany failed to land in the top after her run.
Riesch trailed Vonn by 165 points heading into the day with just two races left. Riesch finished fourth in the race, bumped off the podium by Vonn.
“I am a small upset because I had really excellent race at the top, but I made a mistake at the bottom, near the end line,” Riesch said. “But I still have a chance for the slalom title tomorrow.”
B.C. athletes 11th, 15th
Elisabeth Goergl of Austria was second in Friday’s race, 16-100ths of a second back of the leader. Veteran Nadia Styger of Switzerland came third.
Britt Janyk of Whistler, B.C., was 11th and Emily Brydon of Fernie, B.C., came in 15th.
Vonn also won her 33rd career World Cup race, one more than previous U.S. record holder Bode Miller.
“I gave it all I had. I have nothing more,” Vonn said. “I am the most successful American ever and I am very, very pleased.”
She also added the super-G discipline title to her downhill honours achieved last week. Goergl was second in the standings, with Styger overtaking countrywoman Fabienne Suter for third.
Suter finished eighth in Friday’s race.
The women’s competition at the World Cup finals concludes with a slalom on Saturday.
Vonn will skip the race, content after a season that included 11 victories on the circuit, as well as downhill gold and bronze in the super-G at the Vancouver Games.
With files from The Associated Press
