Lindsey Vonn goes two for two in Lake Louise downhills

Lake Lindsey Lives.

Just 24 hours after handily winning the first World Cup downhill of the season, American Lindsey Vonn did it again today (Dec. 3) in Lake Louise, AB. The 27-year-old notched her third victory of the young season and tenth win on the hill that has been nicknamed Lake Lindsey. The Olympic downhill champ has racked up 17 top-three finishes here since winning her first World Cup here in 2004.

Skies were overcast for the second straight day, providing flat light, though winds were calmer than yesterday. Temperatures were lower, hardening the course and making for faster speeds. Vonn had a time of one minute, 51.35 seconds today, coming in 1.84 seconds faster than she did yesterday.

“I come here knowing that I’ve won in the past and it gives me a lot of confidence. Its just a great way to start the speed season,” said Vonn. “I feel that if I start well here then it will carry through the season. Last year I didn’t have as good of a start so this year, I just wanted to come out strong. Having back-to-back wins is certainly a good sign.”

France’s Marie Marchand-Arvier finished second, 1.68 seconds behind Vonn while downhill world champion, Austrian Elisabeth Goergl hauled in her third podium of the season in third place.

The win moved Vonn into the lead of the overall standings with 322 points. Former leader, German Viktoria Rebensburg, who finished fourth both today and yesterday,   stands second with 280 points. 

“I just tried to do what I did yesterday, I tried to ski aggressively and execute the line,” said Vonn. “It was tough conditions again today, the light was flat, it was hard to see some of the bumps. I’m really happy to come away with the win.”

Five American woman landed in the points today led by Vonn. Stacey Cook had a great day with a ninth-place result for her ninth career World Cup top-10 finish. Leanne Smith finished 11th followed by Julia Mancuso and Chelsea Marshall in 23rd and 26th, respectively.

The day was marred, when American Laurenne Ross took a heart-stopping crash into the safety netting near the bottom of the course. Ross caught an edge and was pushed wide around a right-hand turn and took a hard tumble into the netting. TV cameras showed Ross sitting up before she was taken off the course by helicopter. Initial reports said that Ross’ only injuries were cuts to her face from the netting.

Racing in Lake Louise concludes tomorrow with a super G race. The women’s World Cup tour will then take a surprise trip to Beaver Creek, Colo. to join the men at rescheduled races canceled in Val d’Isere.

Image by Gepa

The SCOOP
by Hank McKee

Women’s World Cup downhill, Lake Louise, Canada, Dec. 3, 2011
Equipment
Skier, skis/boots/bindings
1 Vonn, Head/Head/Head
2 Marchand-Arvier, Rossignol/Lange/Rossignol
3 Goergl, Head/Head/Head
4 Rebensburg, Nordica/Nordica/Marker
5 Gisin, Dynastar/Lange/Marker
6 Hoefl-Riesch, Head/Lange/Head
7 Fanchini, Dynastar/Lange/Look
8 Gut, Rossignol/Rossignol/Rossignol
9 Cook, Rossignol/Rossignol/Rossignol
10 Weirather, Atomic/Tecnica/Atomic

Women’s World Cup Downhill, Lake Louise, Canada, Dec. 3, 2011. … It is the fifth of 40 women’s races on the 2011-12 World Cup schedule. … The second of nine scheduled downhills, and the second of three women’s races slated for Lake Louise. … It is the 84th World Cup hosted by Lake Louise. … the 53rd downhill.

It is the 44th career World Cup victory for Lindsey Vonn, extending her American record and moving her within two wins of matching Renate Goetschl for third among women. … It is the 228th US World Cup win… It is tenth Cup win for Vonn at Lake Louise, the ninth in DH at Lake Louise. … It is her third win of the season and second in two days.

It is the fourth career World Cup podium for Marie Marchand-Arvier. … and matches her career best Cup finish.

It is the 32nd career Cup podium for Elisabeth Goergl. … her seventh in DH. … It is her third career podium at Lake Louise and the second consecutive season she has recored a third in DH at the site.

It is the eighth career Cup top 10 for Stacey Cook and her third at Lake Louise. … Leanne Smith matches her third best career result and matches her career best in DH. … Julia Mancuso has finished 23rd or better in a Lake Louise World Cup 13 times. … Chelsea Marshall matches her 12th best career World Cup result. … and her fourth best at Lake Louise in DH.

Vonn leads the World Cup DH standings 200-106 over Tina Weirather (10th in race). … Dominique Gisin (fifth in race) is third with 105pts. … Vonn takes over the lead of the overall standings 322-280 over Viktoria Rebensburg (fourth in race). … Goergl is third with 211pts. … Austria leads the women’s Nations Cup 791-568 over the U.S. … Germany is third with 519pts. … Canada is 11th with 48pts.