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Vonn claims downhill title; 18th career crystal globe
It was a fight to the end for the ladies’ 2014/15 downhill Season Title between Lindsey Vonn (USA) and Anna Fenninger (AUT). In the end, Vonn took home the small crystal globe after a victory at the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup Finals in Meribel (FRA).
Vonn held a slim 35-point lead in the downhill standings heading into today’s race and racing down just after Fenninger, who sat in fourth place after her run, Vonn laid down a solid run and was in the green when she crossed the finish line.
Fenninger settled for eighth place on the day and now sits in a precarious position in her defense of the Overall Season Title as she lost her slim advantage over Tina Maze (SLO).
It was Vonn’s seventh downhill season title and her 18th overall crystal globe, both records for the ladies’ Alpine World Cup tour.
"It's incredible after being out with two knee operations it is just amazing to be sitting where I am today," said Vonn after the win. "I'm so proud and happy and I really have to thank the people that supported me and got me back to where I am now."
The warm conditions challenged the ladies’ field as they fought the rapidly softening snow throughout the race, despite an earlier scheduled start time. Three skiers in the small field of 22 did not finish the race. Fenninger and Vonn started with bib 16 and 17 making the hunt for the globe even in terms of course conditions.
Today, Vonn topped Austria’s Elisabeth Georgl and Nicole Hosp by0.24 and 0.30 seconds, respectively. Fourth place went to Maze, while Carolina Ruiz Castillo (ESP) who is retiring after this season, also had a strong showing, ending just shy of the podium in fifth place.
Fenninger is also in a fight for the Overall World Cup which just heated up with Maze now holding the lead after topping Fenninger by four spots in today’s standings. Fenninger is the current defending champion of the ladies’ Overall World Cup title.
Tomorrow is likely to be another battle between Fenninger and Vonn for the super-G season title as Vonn holds a very small eight-point lead over the Austrian.
Source: fis-ski.com
Vonn held a slim 35-point lead in the downhill standings heading into today’s race and racing down just after Fenninger, who sat in fourth place after her run, Vonn laid down a solid run and was in the green when she crossed the finish line.
Fenninger settled for eighth place on the day and now sits in a precarious position in her defense of the Overall Season Title as she lost her slim advantage over Tina Maze (SLO).
It was Vonn’s seventh downhill season title and her 18th overall crystal globe, both records for the ladies’ Alpine World Cup tour.
"It's incredible after being out with two knee operations it is just amazing to be sitting where I am today," said Vonn after the win. "I'm so proud and happy and I really have to thank the people that supported me and got me back to where I am now."
The warm conditions challenged the ladies’ field as they fought the rapidly softening snow throughout the race, despite an earlier scheduled start time. Three skiers in the small field of 22 did not finish the race. Fenninger and Vonn started with bib 16 and 17 making the hunt for the globe even in terms of course conditions.
Today, Vonn topped Austria’s Elisabeth Georgl and Nicole Hosp by0.24 and 0.30 seconds, respectively. Fourth place went to Maze, while Carolina Ruiz Castillo (ESP) who is retiring after this season, also had a strong showing, ending just shy of the podium in fifth place.
Fenninger is also in a fight for the Overall World Cup which just heated up with Maze now holding the lead after topping Fenninger by four spots in today’s standings. Fenninger is the current defending champion of the ladies’ Overall World Cup title.
Tomorrow is likely to be another battle between Fenninger and Vonn for the super-G season title as Vonn holds a very small eight-point lead over the Austrian.
Source: fis-ski.com
