Vonn Gets Historic Home Win
BEAVER CREEK, CO (Dec. 7) - Calling it the most memorable of her 46 career Audi FIS Alpine World Cup wins, Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) fulfilled the dream she had a child and won at home in the inaugural women's race on Beaver Creek's Birds of Prey. Despite a less than perfect run, Vonn took a .37 victory over Swiss Fabienne Suter to the roar of packed finish stadium. She became the first American to win four World Cup races in a row and tied German superstar Katja Seizinger for the most career World Cup super G wins with 16. Vonn has now won 14 of the last 19 super G's, never finishing lower than third.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Lindsey Vonn came home to win her 46th career Audi FIS World Cup.
- The win tied her with German Katja Seizinger for all-time World Cup super G wins with 16.
- Vonn is now the first American to win four consecutive World Cup races
- It tied her with Austrian Renate Goetschl for third on the overall women's win list with 46 (Swiss Vreni Schneider has 55, Austrian Annemarie Moeser-Proell 62).
- It was her 14th win in the last 19 World Cup super G's, never finishing lower than third (and only one third).
- Vonn spent 45 minutes signing autographs for the legions of young fans after the race.
- Julia Mancuso was eighth; Leanne Smith 11th.
QUOTES
Lindsey Vonn
Ever since I moved out here as a kid and was a course slipper at the '99 World Championships, I've always wanted to race here at home. The support that I've received from everyone in this community has been amazing. This is a day that I'll remember for my entire life. Of the 46 wins that I have so far, this is probably the most special.
This morning I woke up and I was really anxious and nervous. My stomach has been in a knot all day. When I got to the start I was totally freaking out. I wanted to win in front of my home fans so badly, mentally I was a wreck.
The Birds of Prey course at Beaver Creek has everything. There's steeps, there's side hills, there's hard turns, it's technical and always coming at you and the speeds are really high. It's really a lot of fun to ski. I'd love to have Beaver Creek as a regular World Cup stop.
When I looked up into the crowd and I saw all those kids and I saw a lot of American flags waving. It was an incredibly special feeling. I still don't believe that I won.
I hope that I can keep skiing fast. I hope that I can continue to represent my fans and my team well. This is an incredible sport and I'm extremely fortunate and happy to be a skier.
I think it's really awesome that the teachers in Vail gave all their kids an excused absence to get out of school to watch today. To have a race like this in their home town and to see the entire U.S. Ski Team ski well, I think that is extremely important for kids. It's inspiring for kids to go out there and do their best and that's really important. I'm going to sign as many helmets and jackets as I can to make sure they don't get in trouble for missing school.
Julia Mancuso
This hill is a lot of fun to ski and a lot of terrain, you really have to move. I'm skiing consistent so it's always a good day when you can finish in the top 10.
It's a great hill for women and it's was really impressive to see so many fans out there on a Wednesday. There's a few places we go in Europe that don't have this many fans for Saturday races. Aspen was the same way this year with such amazing crowds. Colorado has been so supportive of ski racing.
Leanne Smith
I know that my abilities right now are higher than they've ever been. Last weekend I was really disappointed because I didn't go after it enough, so this is definitely a step in the right direction.
Our entire team is skiing at such a high level right now and that's inspiring for all of us. Bode and Ted's wins were huge and what Lindsey and Julia are doing right now. The talent and momentum on the U.S. Ski Team right now is incredible.
TV
Universal Sports TV
Wednesday, Dec. 7
6:00 p.m. ET
Thursday, Dec. 8
11:00 a.m. ET
2:00 p.m. ET
6:00 p.m. ET
RESULTS
Official Results
Audi FIS Alpine World Cup Standings