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Recap: 2008 Brings Success to Alpine Team
PARK CITY, Utah (April 25) - The USA permanently marked the pages of ski racing history
in 2008. It was one of the most successful World Cup seasons for American skiers who
captured five of 12 World Cup titles. Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), Ted Ligety (Park City, UT)
and Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH) each won globes with Vonn taking the downhill and
overall titles, Miller capturing the super combined and overall, and Ligety winning the
giant slalom.
"It has been a historic season for the U.S. The athletes at the World Cup managed to bring
home five titles in addition to seeing seven different athletes on the podium," said Alpine
Director Jesse Hunt.
Hunt added several other successes that highlighted the season:
-The USA had 15 World Cup wins and 37 podiums.
-First World Cup win by Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA), who finished in downhill.
-12 Europa Cup podiums, up from two a year earlier, and five wins.
-U.S. athletes captured nine of 12 titles at the NorAm level, which punctuated a season in
which athletes were winning at every level.
-Development athletes, ages 11 to 14 competing at the Whistler Cup had five wins, 12
podiums, and 33 top 10s.
Vonn makes history twice!
For Vonn, the 2008 season was nothing short of a fairytale in which she was able to fulfill
a childhood dream and then go further than even she expected.
Vonn started the season with a downhill win in Canada. After winning four more downhill
events, she became only the second American, male or female, to win the World Cup
downhill title. Picabo Street was the first American skier to win the title in 1995.
"When I met Picabo was when I first dreamed of winning the downhill title," Vonn said.
"She really inspired me to want to win it. And I've been working hard to get there ever
since. I just can't even believe it. It's been a lifelong goal of mine and it's finally here."
After clinching the downhill, Vonn made history again, becoming the first woman to win
the World Cup overall since Tamara McKinney in 1983. Vonn clinched the title after
finishing the best slalom of her season at World Cup Finals in Bormio, Italy in March.
"I've always dreamed of winning the globe and I've always dreamed of winning an
Olympic gold. It's those dreams that keep me motivated to ski," Vonn said. "So much of
what I was able to do is because of the people who have helped me this season, my
coaches, the U.S. Ski Team staff, my sponsors and teammates.
"There's so much that I could never have done without all this support, it's just incredible."
Ligety goes for the globe
Ligety was an integral part of the U.S. Ski Team's historic season, landing on podium after
podium to emerge the World Cup GS champion in 2008.
"It was a long season for sure, but the U.S. Ski Team has such a great group right now.
It's really hard to spend so many months on the road and living out of a backpack, but the
staff is great and my teammates are awesome," Ligety said. "The only way for us to
succeed is to have fun and we all have such a great time."
Ligety was on the podium in the season opening GS races in Soelden as well as Bad
Kleinkircheim, Austria. He went on to capture a GS in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia before
winning the final run of the final race of the year at Bormio for the title. He was also on
the slalom podium in Atla Badia, Italy, and Wengen, Switzerland to finish a career best
fifth in the World Cup overall standings.
"I'm psyched to win the GS title, but what I did pales in comparison to what Lindsey was
able to achieve," Ligety said. "Bode was great, too. I have the GS title and they have the
overalls. It's amazing what the U.S. was able to achieve and I'm psyched to be a part of it."
Miller, who also took the World Cup super combined title, was the other half of America's
historical moment in skiing when he and Vonn became the first Americans to both take
the World Cup overall title since McKinney and Phil Mahre in 1983.
"What America was able to do this season is incredible. It's just so much bigger that I've
achieved one of those goals with Ted and Bode also winning titles," Vonn said. "We made
history, that's something I could have never imagined and the feeling is just amazing."
U.S. Team goes all out
Adding to an already incredible season, U.S. Ski Team athletes went all out to find
success in NorAms, Europa Cups and personal bests.
There were American men on the World Cup downhill podium in every race thanks to
Miller, Sullivan, Steven Nyman (Provo, UT) and Scott Macartney (Crystal Mountain, WA).
Sullivan went on to get his first World Cup win in Chamonix and finished the season a
career best fourth in the World Cup downhill standings.
Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) skied her way to podiums in four different World Cup
disciplines - all but slalom - and was able to finish seventh in the World Cup overall standings.
The Team had a great deal of Europa Cup success with wins by TJ Lanning (Park City,
UT) in downhill, Hailey Duke (Boise, ID) with two slalom wins and Chris Beckmann
(Guilderland, NY) who took home a super G win. In the end, America was able to capture
12 podiums following a 2007 season with only two.
At the NorAm level, the U.S. Ski Team garnered nine of the 12 NorAm Cup titles. Title
winners for the men included Cody Marshall (Pittsfield, VT) with slalom, Kevin Francis
(Bend, OR) super G, Jeremy Transue (Hunter, NY) in downhill and Max Hammer (Jackson
Hole, WY) won the super combined. For the women, Chelsea Marshall (Pittsfield, VT) took
three of the titles with the downhill, super G and super combined, and Megan McJames
(Park City, UT) won the giant slalom.
"This was a tremendous season for our alpine teams at all levels," Hunt said. "We look
forward to building on this success as we prepare for the World Ski Championships in Val
d'Isere next season."
The Team now moves into summer training, which begins in May in Mammoth, CA, in
anticipation of its first event in Solden, Austria, Oct. 25-26.
"Jim is bringing 20 years of international coaching experience to the position," said Hunt.
"He brings the knowledge, contacts, and the continuity that will help us continue to
achieve success."
"I'm extremely excited and honored to come back when the team is doing so well," said
Tracy, who has been coaching at Mt. Hood Meadows, OR. "I'm humbled by the support
from the staff in wanting me to come back. There are going to be some big shoes to fill.
"My goal is to support everyone and just keep the ball rolling, and to get the technical
side going as well as the speed side. We want to go into Vancouver with a lot of
excitement and be ready to win."
The U.S. women's program has had strong success the last three seasons. Lindsey Vonn
(Vail, CO) won the Audi FIS World Cup overall and downhill titles last season. Julia
Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) won the Olympic giant slalom in 2006 and challenged for
the overall title in 2007.
Tracy coached at Colorado's Ski Club Vail for nine years before joining the U.S. Ski Team
staff in 1986 as a men's coach. He took over the U.S. women's downhill and super G
program in 1996 and continued to 2004 when he stepped down to work in development
and with the Europa Cup women through the 2006 season.
The former Mammoth Mountain racer has worked with a star-studded lineup of champions
in his career including Olympic champions Picabo Street and Tommy Moe, World
Champions Daron Rahlves and Hilary Lindh, plus Worlds medalists AJ Kitt, Kirsten Clark,
Jonna Mendes, Mancuso and Vonn.
Tracy replaces Patrick Riml, who retired following the 2008 season.
Lauren Ross Wins GS Title
SUGARLOAF, Maine (March 26) - Lauren Ross (Stowe, VT) powered through freshly falling
snow to win the giant slalom on the closing day of the 2008 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine
Championships at Sugarloaf.
"I'm psyched to have this title. I had to get a little fired up for that last run," said Ross,
who missed the entire 2007 season with a torn ACL. "I was a little disappointed in how I
skied in my first run so I knew there was a lot more to come for the second. I really had
nothing to lose. I had a really solid run in the difficult section of the second run, so I knew
it was going to be OK."
This is the first national title for Ross, a U.S. Ski Team athlete and Dartmouth College
student, who had been under the weather earlier in the week, but pulled it together to nail
down her win with a time of 2:15.22.
"I hadn't been able to really put it together in races this season, but training has been
going well and to finish out the season so strong is good," Ross said.
Laurenne Ross (Klamath Falls, OR), a U.S. Development Team athlete from the Mount
Bachelor Ski Education Foundation program, finished second in the women's GS at 2:15.31.
"It went pretty well but I think I gave it what I had," Laurenne Ross said. "I think my
season was up and down, but my ups were really good and this is a good end. I'm just
really happy for Lauren to win and with how things ended."
The U.S. Ski Team's Libby Ludlow (Seattle, WA), also a student at Dartmouth, finished
third with a combined race time of 2:15.71.
"It's nice to finish the season on the podium. To be on the podium for nationals is
satisfying," Ludlow said.
The Tom Garner Regions Cup also was awarded at the end the women's competition to
USSA's Western Region with 3,012 points. The Regions Cup is determined by points
accumulated throughout the U.S. Championships from the top 10 finishers of each event.
The East finished second with 2,623 points, followed by Rocky Central with 1,428 points.
High praise for Sugarloaf
The 2008 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships got off to a rocky start when a storm
blew high winds in excess of 100 mph and forced event organizers to cancel training runs
and the annual FIS downhill. Despite the weather, all U.S. Championship races were
completed successfully.
"If you had told me last weekend that we would be here on a Wednesday afternoon having
pulled off all the disciplines to be able to crown national champions, I would have thought
you were a bit mad," Senior Events Manager Mike Henderson said. "But it's a testament to
the race crews, the volunteers and the organizing committee of Sugarloaf who pulled off
a fantastically exciting and successful National Championships."
"It was definitely a challenge but we had a good group of people making decisions and it
all worked," said Sugarloaf Competition Director James McCormack. "It's absolutely huge
what the volunteers have done, as well. We couldn't have done it without them."
"It couldn't be better snow conditions. It's been great. Sugarloaf always has a great
event. It's a good mountain and I'm an Eastern girl," Lauren Ross said.
The 2008 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships conclude the racing season for the
U.S. Alpine Ski Team.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
2008 NATURE VALLEY U.S. ALPINE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sugarloaf, ME - March 26, 2008
Women's Giant Slalom
1. Lauren Ross, Stowe, VT, 2:15.22
2. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 2:15.31
3. Libby Ludlow, Seattle, WA, 2:15.71
4. Jessica Kelley, Starksboro, VT, 2:15.72
5. Stacey Cook, Mammoth, CA, 2:15.99
Women's Junior
1. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 2:15.31
2. Erika Ghent, Edwards, CO, 2:17.93
3. Kirsten Cooper, Eagle, CO,2:18.74
Riml Leaving as Women's Head Coach
PARK CITY, Utah (March 26) - U.S. Ski Team Women's Head Coach Patrick Riml is leaving
the team after five successful seasons, culminating in Lindsey Vonn's (Vail, CO) overall
and downhill World Cup titles this year. Alpine Director Jesse Hunt made the
announcement following the Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships in Sugarloaf, ME.
"Patrick did an outstanding job in leading his team," said Hunt. "He is a great coach who
has the ability to make a connection with athletes and staff and lead them to success as
a team. He made a great contribution to our program and we will miss him."
Riml, an Austrian native, came to the U.S. Ski Team in 2001 as the Europa Cup head
coach, and moved up to the top national team spot in 2003. He oversaw a program that
produced strong athletic success, including the Olympic combined gold of Julia Mancuso
(Olympic Valley, CA) in 2006, and World Championship medals in 2005 and 2007. Mancuso
and Vonn each challenged for World Cup titles the last two seasons.
Riml, who lives in Heber City, UT, had no specific plans but was looking forward to
spending more time with his wife Jodi and daughter Raina.
"I had a great time and I always had a lot of support from the entire company," said Riml.
"It was a real pleasure to work for the U.S. Ski Team. It was a tough decision. I wasn't
planning on it but my family is very important to me."
Riml looked back on Mancuso's Olympic gold, the World Championship medals from
Mancuso and Vonn, and Vonn's title run this past season as memorable highlights. "With
the whole support crew we brought the women's team to the top level," he added. "I'm
comfortable leaving with the girls on top. They will do well in the future."
Hunt indicated that he hopes to announce a new coach shortly to head the women's
program.
"I needed that [win]. I'm totally satisfied. I had a great game plan and I executed it,"
Jitloff said. "I got the two podiums already, and now today it was nice to get the actual
win. I've had an extremely rough year but I decided the best thing to do was to crawl my
way up out of the barrel. And now here we are. I had a good end of the year."
Jitloff, who finished second in the combined and third in the slalom, laid down the fastest
first run and second fastest second run for a combined time of 2:04.67 under picture
perfect blue bird skies.
"At the start of the first run, I had to attack right out of the gate. It was clean and good.
Then, there was going to be no beating around the bush on this second run because I had
about five guys who were right on my tail," Jitloff said.
The gold medal win in GS complements the silver in combined and the bronze in SL from
earlier in the Nature Valley Championships.
Tommy Ford (Bend, OR), who was named Ski Racing's Junior of the Year during the
annual athlete banquet held on Sunday night, finished second only one tenth behind
Jitloff at 2:04.77. Ford also clinched the junior division title.
"It's a fun course. I thought my first run was pretty solid," said Ford, a U.S. Development
Team athlete and member of the Mount Bachelor Ski Education Foundation. "I've raced
this course twice before - two years ago at nationals and junior nationals - and I think I
only broke top 30. I thought I did pretty well today, though."
Colby College's Warner Nickerson (Gilford, NH), a local to the Sugarloaf ski area from
years spent skiing during college, finished third at 2:06.22.
"All in all, it was a solid run. Sugarloaf is awesome. It hasn't been this nice all week, but
as long as we get it I'm happy," Nickerson said. "Skiing on this hill for four years in
college definitely gives you an advantage, but these guys are all great skiers and anyone
could put together a good run."
The 2008 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships conclude Wednesday with women's
giant slalom. Split Second Timing will provide live timing of the race.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
2008 NATURE VALLEY U.S. ALPINE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sugarloaf, ME - March 25, 2008
Men's Giant Slalom
1. Tim Jitloff, Reno, NV, 2:04.67
2. Tommy Ford, Bend, OR, 2:04.77
3. Warner Nickerson, Gilford, NH, 2:06.22
4. Andrew Weibrecht, Lake Placid, NY, 2:06.38
5. Jake Zamansky, Park City, UT, 2:06.49
Junior Men
1. Tommy Ford, Bend, OR, 2:04.77
2. Andrew Phillips, Sandy, UT, 2:06.62
3. Travis Ganong, Olympic Valley, CA, 2:06.72
Cook, Lanning Downhill Champions
SUGARLOAF, Maine (March 24) - Stacey Cook (Mammoth, CA) captured her second U.S.
title in two days winning the downhill at the 2008 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine
Championships, while TJ Lanning (Park City, UT) took the men's downhill for his first U.S.
crown. Combined gold went to Jimmy Cochran (Keene, NH) and Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO).
Cook, who won the super G a day earlier, notched her third national win, all of which have
come at Sugarloaf.
"I knew with Lindsey coming out of the gate right behind me, I needed to have a fast start
so that was really my focus and then just to relax on the way down," Cook said. "I put no
pressure on myself. I got my title yesterday and today it was just to have fun and let it
run. But I brought my game today and it was enough."
Vonn, the World Cup overall and downhill champion finished second on the Narrow Gauge
course with a time of 1:11.78, just .08 behind Cook, followed by Chelsea Marshall
(Pittsfield, VT) in third with 1:11.84.
"It's incredible to have Lindsey and Julia [Mancuso; Olympic Valley, CA] to watch. No
other team has two skiers of that caliber so it's pretty cool to be right beside them and
feed off of them," Cook said.
Though Cook took a more relaxed approach to the downhill race, her win was
monumental to her.
"I think the downhill title is the big one to win at U.S. Championships. It's the event that
people strive most to be best at. Downhill has a place in my heart and this is a special
title for sure," Cook said.
A member of the U.S. Ski Team from the time he was 15, Lanning marked his first national
crown with his downhill win.
"The surface is impeccable. To end the year on a nice solid run like that has me pretty
excited. It's always fun to win a U.S. championship," Lanning said. "Hopefully things keep
going the way they are. I'm looking forward to World Championships next year and
hopefully making the Olympic team."
Lanning, who was sixth in the downhill at two years ago at Sugarloaf, was happy to add
another win into his season.
"Honestly, I did think I could take the title. I've had a really good season in downhill,"
Lanning said. "I won a Europa Cup downhill by over a second this year, and that was my
first real big win before this."
Lannings winning time of 1:09.04 led teammates Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY),
who was second in 1:09.26, and Chris Beckmann (Guilderland, NY) in 1:10.07.
Cochran, who won the slalom gold, finished 10th in the downhill to capture the
prestigious combined, an honor his father Bob captured 37 years ago. Vonn, who also won
the slalom took the women's combined. Combined pairs the results from slalom and
downhill to determine the victors.
"It's always satisfying to get a win. I knew I had a good chance. I'm really not a
downhiller and you've got to do both, so I'm pretty psyched," Cochran said.
Tim Jitloff (Truckee, CA) was second in the combined standings with Chelsea Marshall
(Pittsfield, VT) second in women's.
The 2008 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships continues Tuesday with men's giant slalom.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
2008 NATURE VALLEY U.S. ALPINE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sugarloaf, ME - March 24, 2008
Downhill
Men
1. TJ Lanning, Park City, UT, 1:09.04
2. Andrew Weibrecht, Lake Placid, NY, 1:09.26
3. Chris Beckmann, Guilderland, NY, 1:10.07
4. Kevin Francis, Bend, OR, 1:10.25
5. Samuel Sweetser, Cumberland Center, ME, 1:10.60
Women
1. Stacey Cook, Mammoth, CA, 1:11.69
2. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 1:11.78
3. Chelsea Marshall, Pittsfield, VT, 1:11.84
4. Leanne Smith, Conway, NH, 1:12.16
5. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 1:13.38
Junior Men
1. Travis Ganong, Olympic Valley, CA, 1:10.79
2. Bump Heldman, Auburn, ME, 1:11.31
3. Marcus Caston, Salt Lake City, 1:11.32
Junior Women
1. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 1:13.38
2. Julia Ford, Plymouth, NH, 1:13.84
3. Kirsten Cooper, Eagle, CO, 1:14.04
Combined (downhill and slalom)
Men
1. Jimmy Cochran, Keene, NH
2. Tim Jitloff, Truckee, CA
3. Andrew Phillips, Sandy, UT
Women
1. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO
2. Chelsea Marshall, Pittsfield, VT
3. Keely Kelleher, Big Sky, MT
SG Titles Go To Cook and Francis
SUGARLOAF, Maine (March 23) - The U.S. Ski Team's Kevin Francis (Bend, OR) and Stacey
Cook (Mammoth, CA) won super G titles on a sunny Easter Sunday as the 2008 Nature
Valley U.S. Alpine Championships concluded their second day of competition.
The win was Francis' first U.S. title, marking his 11th podium of the season and his sixth
win. Francis was also crowned the NorAm super G champion this season.
"This is probably my biggest win of the year. Super G had been good to me this year. I
love my Atomic skisI've just had a good feeling with super G that's hard to find, but once
you have it, you just go with it and it seems to work," Francis said. "Coming down the
pitch, I thought I set it up a little too much, but it actually ended up working out because I
actually ended up carrying out more speed into the flat.
"Then the flat was just switching gears and going fast. I had a great time today."
Bryon Friedman (Park City, UT) finished second and took a moment at the finish to
remember the late and dearly missed writer Paul Robbins.
"I miss Paul Robbins, that's for sure. It would be nice to have him in the finish today,"
Friedman said.
Friedman, who remembered racing his first Nationals at Sugarloaf with Tommy Moe, said
that the course suited his racing style.
"I've been waiting all season to have good snow, good conditions and a good start
position," Friedman said. "I'm more of a glider and downhiller and this is my course."
Cook's win was her second U.S. Championship title. Her first was also a SG, two years
ago at Sugarloaf.
"I didn't ski one section as cleanly as I had hoped, but things just ended up on the right
side of the clock today. It was a tight set and I was pretty prepared for that but it still
surprised me a little bit," Cook said. "It's surprising [to win again at Sugarloaf] because
I'm not a fan of the cold here, but as far as racing goes I seem to get along well here. I'm
just really psyched. It's another national title and you can never complain about that."
Leanne Smith (Conway, NH) took second place and Katie Hitchcock (Carmichael, CA) was
third. Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), who won the women's slalom a day earlier, was fourth.
The 2008 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships continue Monday with men's and
women's downhill.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
2008 NATURE VALLEY U.S. ALPINE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sugarloaf, ME - March 23, 2008
Super G
Men
1. Kevin Francis, Bend, OR, 1:19.62
2. Bryon Friedman, Park City, UT, 1:19.73
3. Marco Sullivan, Squaw Valley, CA, 1:19.96
4. Andrew Weibrecht, Lake Placid, NY, 1:20.50
5. Christopher Beckmann, Guilderland, NY, 1:20.64
Women
1. Stacey Cook, Mammoth, CA, 1:15.00
2. Leanne Smith, Conway, NH, 1:15.05
3. Katie Hitchcock, Carmichael, CA, 1:15.53
4. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 1:15.72
5. Megan McJames, Park City, UT, 1:16.56
Vonn, Cochran Win National Slalom Titles
SUGARLOAF, Maine (March 22) - World Cup overall champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) and
reigning U.S. slalom champion Jimmy Cochran (Keene, NH) each laid down the fastest
first and second runs to win national slalom titles at the 2008 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine
Championships Saturday.
For Cochran, who celebrated his victory by signing a group of children's helmets and
allowing them to sign his race skis, this win marked the second consecutive year he has
captured the national slalom title.
"It's awesome. Just being here in New England and being back at Sugarloaf where I raced
so many times, it's special," Cochran said. "The snow was a little bit softer, so to be first
[in the first run] was really good. I had a fresh track and that was a huge advantage. You
really had to be ready for those turning sections."
Cochran, who held the lead through the first run and smoked the course in the second to
be fastest overall, said that he was impressed by the younger athletes he raced against.
"Watching the younger guys ski today, it is amazing. The nature of this sport, especially in
slalom, is the young guys are pushing the technique and the equipment and we're just
holding," Cochran said. "There's a lot to be learned from watching those younger guys."
The U.S. Ski Team's Cody Marshall (Pittsfield, VT) took second, and Teammate Tim Jitloff
(Reno, NV) was third.
The queen of women's skiing, Vonn won the slalom with nearly two seconds to spare to
make it her fourth U.S. title, and second in slalom.
"Today was a great race. The atmosphere here is really good and I'm really glad that
we're back here," Vonn said. "The first run was good. It was solid skiing. The course is
pretty quick and tight. The second run was pretty rutted, but I just tried to have a solid
run with nothing special. I knew I had a big margin after the first run so I didn't push my
limits too hard."
While Vonn led the pack, the U.S. Ski Team's Hailey Duke (Boise, ID) came in second, and
Jenny Lathrop (North Conway, NH) was third.
"I was a little nervous in the first run that all these young skiers were going to come up
and beat me because they all look so good. It's cool racing against all these little kids. I
remember I was in the same position when I was younger and hopefully they're having fun."
Although Vonn is the World Cup overall and downhill champion, she said that winning a
national title is just as important to her.
"It's big. It is the U.S. Nationals. You're the best in the United States and that's cool, Vonn
said. "It means something to me. I remember when I was 15 I thought it was the coolest
thing ever to be the national champion."
The 2008 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships continue Sunday with men's and
women's super G.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
2008 NATURE VALLEY U.S. ALPINE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Sugarloaf, ME - March 22, 2008
Slalom
Men
1. Jimmy Cochran, Keene, NH, 1:26.69
2. Cody Marshall, Pittsfield, VT, 1:27.90
3. Tim Jitloff, Reno, NV, 1:28.16
4. Andrew Phillips, Sandy, UT, 1:29.27
5. Michael Ankeny, Deephaven, MN, 1:29.99
Women
1. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 1:26.31
2. Hailey Duke, Boise, ID, 1:28.21
3. Jenny Lathrop, North Conway, NH, 1:28.42
4. Keely Kelleher, Gallatin Gateway, MT, 1:30.86
5. Chelsea Marshall, Pittsfield, VT, 1:31.21
"Phil has done an unbelievable job with the U.S. Ski Team. The World Cup results we've
had in the last six years under his leadership are significant," said Hunt. "We're
disappointed to see Phil leave, but I also understand his wish to spend more time with his
family. As an American team that competes primarily in Europe, it's a tough task and Phil
has shown great perseverance for many years. And he's developed a program that can
carry on the tradition of athletic success."
Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) highlighted the season for the U.S. Ski Team, winning the World
Cup GS title. Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) picked up his first career win, taking the
prestigious Kandahar downhill in Chamonix. Steven Nyman (Provo, UT), a winner a year
ago, was on the podium again, as was veteran Scott Macartney (Crystal Mountain, WA).
McNichol worked as a club coach in both the Ski Club Vail and Park City programs before
coming to the Team in 1997. He worked his way through the development and Europa Cup
teams before taking over as head coach in 2002-03. Since then he's worked with many
great athletes including Daron Rahlves, Bode Miller and Ted Ligety.
I'm proud of what we've done with the Team since '03, giving Bode and Daron with the
platform to perform," said McNichol. "And with Ted, we've developed a champion from
scratch. You could see this year, through consistency and ability to handle pressure, that
now he'll be able to branch out to other events and challenge for the overall. And he's got
a great team behind him with Sully, Jimmy and others.
"It's a real big challenge to get where we are now. I'm quite proud!"
McNichols' tenure as head coach produced some notable results with World Cup wins
from Ligety, Miller, Nyman, Rahlves, and Sullivan, plus countless other podiums. At the
2003 World Championships in St. Moritz, Miller and Erik Schlopy (Park City, UT) won gold
and bronze, with Miller also taking combined gold and super G silver. In 2004 Miller took
the World Cup GS title - the first for an American man in 20 years - and claimed the overall
in 2005. Miller swept the speed events at the 2005 World Championships in Bormio. In
Torino, Ligety stunned the world with the combined gold.
"It's good to leave when the guys are doing well and the team is in a good place,"
McNichol said. "The whole organization is moving in the right direction. I wanted to leave
it better than when I started."
Hunt expects to name a replacement for McNichol shortly to lead the Team into the 2008-09 pre-Olympic season.
CHAMPION Q&A: Lindsey Vonn Lindsey Vonn
(Vail, CO) recently made U.S. skiing history, winning the overall Audi FIS World Cup title,
plus the downhill crown. Her inspiration came in the form of a poster that hung on her
wall as a child of Picabo Street, the only other American to win the coveted downhill title.
Vonn led the USA to a record five season long titles as the World Cup concluded in
Bormio, Italy this week. And, by the way, she's only 23.
Winning the overall title seemed like a bonus to you. Did you expect this?
It's awesome. First of all, I can't believe I won the downhill, and secondly, it's not even in
my realm right now to fathom that I won the overall.
What does it feel like to be the second woman in U.S. history to win the downhill title?
It's pretty amazing. To have done something that only one person in history has done is a
dream come true. I've been dreaming of this title since I met Picabo, but it really hasn't
set in quite yet.
What do you do to make sure you are setting realistic goals?
It's hard. For instance, the downhill title was a dream of mine since I was a little kid, but I
knew it would take a long time to get there. But this is a job for me and I take it really
seriously.
How were you able to prepare yourself for this level of competition?
So much of what I was able to do is because of the people who have helped me this
season - my coaches, the U.S. Ski Team staff, my sponsors and teammates. There's so
much that I could never have done without all this support.
How do you stay grounded?
It's good to be realistic. I'm only 23, so it's important to ski as fast as I can and eventually
progress to winning. It's also important to set high goals for yourself to get a bigger
picture of where you want to be.
How did you find a balance with your husband and supporter Thomas Vonn?
We're able to separate skiing, which is business, and our personal lives. We balance the
best way we know how and it seems to be working really well. When everything is
comfortable, I ski well and this season everything has been perfect.
What's the experience with mainstream media been like?
Amazing. When outlets like Sports Center and Sports Illustrated pick up skiing, it really
helps our sport.
You got to throw snowballs at a photographer for Sports Illustrated. Was that a career
goal?
I felt really bad actually. I kept hitting him in the stomach, but he wanted me to hit the
camera. It was hard because I didn't want to break it. Heinz (Kluetmeier) was a great
photographer and that was just a funny way to end a really fun photo shoot. I can't wait to
see the magazine.
Picabo Street offered to plow your driveway. What does that feel like?
It's pretty funny that she said that, but it's weird. She's such an amazing ski racer and I
don't think I could let her do it. Well, I'm not going to let her. I'll hire someone else to take
care of it.
New Heroes Set Stage for Future
BORMIO, Italy (March 16) - The Audi FIS Alpine World Cup has a different flag flying this
year - the red, white and blue. For the first time in history, three Americans have claimed
five of the 12 crystal globes. Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) and Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH)
took the overall titles, with Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) taking the giant slalom crown, Vonn
the downhill and Miller the super combined.
It's a benchmark that could have a strong impact on the fast-paced sport of alpine ski
racing as young American racers see their heroes reaching the pinnacle of the sport.
"What America was able to do this season is incredible," said Vonn. "We made history.
That's something I could have never imagined and the feeling is just amazing."
Turning the world upside down
"We're turning the world upside down in alpine ski racing," said U.S. Alpine Director Jesse
Hunt. "To have two Americans win the overall, it's a special deal. And it's by a number of
different athletes. What it says is that we're here to stay and dominate alpine ski racing."
There have been titles, including Miller's 2004 GS crown and 2005 overall. And Tamara
McKinney and Phil Mahre doubled up as overall champs in 1983. But nothing compares to 2008.
"It's a historic day," said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association President and CEO Bill
Marolt. "We've never had this kind of result in the history of the program.
"When you put together plans and you think of creating a great Team, these are the
things you plan for," said Marolt. "You don't always achieve it. But when you do, there's a
special sense of accomplishment."
Hero inspires Vonn to achieve dream
Champions and heroes are a key to success in sport. Just look at the Lindsey Vonn story.
As a young racer at the Twin Cities' Buck Hill, the then Lindsey Kildow watched as Picabo
Street won the World Cup downhill title in 1995. And that became her life goal. And she
headed to the mountains and Ski Club Vail to chase her dream.
"It's Lindsey's story, it's Ted's story. They experienced having the dream and pursuing
that dream," said Hunt.
"I've always dreamed of winning the globe and an Olympic gold," said Vonn. "It's those
dreams that keep me motivated to ski and it's just so much bigger that I've achieved one
of those goals with Ted and Bode also winning titles.
"But so much of what I was able to do is because of the people who have helped me this
season - my coaches, the U.S. Ski Team staff, my sponsors and teammates. There's so
much that I could never have done without all this support."
Young Ligety upends seasoned veteran
Ligety, meanwhile, came out of the chute fast in October with a second in Soelden. "He
started out establishing himself as one of the favorites," said Hunt. "But it was tough
going against a veteran like Benni [Raich] who knows what he has to do. Ted was just the
young guy coming in upsetting the experience veteran.
"It's a testament to his focus. He's an amazing athlete."
Ligety grew up in a ski racing town, Park City, watching his heroes at America's Opening
World Cup. In the summer he attended Park City's Winter School to keep his winters free
for ski racing.
"Watching Lindsey this year totally dominating everyone in downhill and winning the
overall is super cool," said Ligety. "I'm psyched to win the GS title, but what I did pales in
comparison to what she was able to achieve. It's amazing what the U.S. was able to
achieve and I'm psyched to be a part of it."
"You could see this year, through his consistency and ability to handle pressure, that now
he'll be able to branch out to other events and challenge for the overall," said Men's Head
Coach Phil McNichol, who has worked with Ted for over a decade. "And he's got a great
team behind him with Sully [Marco Sullivan], Steven [Nyman], Jimmy [Cochran] and the others."
Team applauds Miller's dedication and success
Miller had a good opener in Soelden (finishing 5th in a GS), but was off the pace in the
opening speed events. But by mid-December he was back on the podium, getting his first
win later that month in a downhill in Bormio. And then he went on a tear in January,
setting the stage for his overall title.
"Bode has just been so dedicated," said Hunt. "He's been working super hard and it
showed. His focus has been great. He's skiing tactically and strategically. He has a lot to
be proud of and my hat's off to Bode. It's a testament to his determination."
"Bode was great," said Ligety. "Watching him come through the second part of the year
after everyone was counting him out was amazing."
"The entire season we've celebrated his success," said Marolt. "We knew he was capable
and we applaud it. He came up through the USSA system and is very much a part of what
we do. We're all proud of what he's accomplished."
"We made history!" says Vonn
Hunt was excited about the ripple effect the World Cup titles could have on ski racing in
America. "It's exciting, as a kid, to see a nation have success - to see an individual reach
the top. It gives the sport a lot of credibility and will motivate these young athletes.
"It's a long road and to be able to have that dream, that's the key component. When our
athletes are at the top of the world, those dreams seems more real. The first thing you
have to achieve is to believe. We're getting the American kids to believe."
"The U.S. Ski Team has such a great group right now," said Ligety. "The staff is great and
my teammates are awesome. The only way for us to succeed is to have fun and we all
have such a great time."
As Vonn said, they made history. And Vonn and Ligety are happy to be in the dreams of
future champions.
Americans Lead World Cup BORMIO, Italy (March 16) - The USA led the nations count of
titles as the 2008 Audi FIS Alpine World Cup came to a close Saturday. American skiers,
led by overall champions Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) and Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH),
picked up five titles. Germany, Italy and Austria each had two.
It was the strongest showing ever for the USA with three different skiers - Vonn, Miller
and Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) - taking titles. Ligety won the giant slalom title, with Vonn
adding downhill and Miller super combined.
"We're turning the world upside down in alpine ski racing," said U.S. Alpine Director Jesse
Hunt. "To have two Americans win the overall, it's a special deal. And it's by a number of
different athletes. What it says is that we're here to stay and dominate alpine ski racing."
AUDI FIS WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS
Men
Overall - Bode Miller, Bretton Woods, NH, USA
Downhill - Didier Cuche, Switzerland
Super G - Hannes Reichelt, Austria
Giant Slalom - Ted Ligety, Park City, UT, USA
Slalom - Manfred Moelgg, Italy
Super Combined - Bode Miller, Bretton Woods, NH, USA
Women
Overall - Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, USA
Downhill - Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, USA
Super G - Maria Riesch, Germany
Giant Slalom - Denise Karbon, Italy
Slalom - Marlies Schild, Austria
Super Combined - Maria Riesch, Germany
Nation Titles
USA - 5
Germany - 2
Italy - 2
Austria - 2
Switzerland - 1
Ligety's win capped a historic day for the U.S. Ski Team. Earlier, Vonn put down the
fastest second run to move from 25th to 11th and clinch the overall. She had earlier won
the downhill title. And Miller, the first run GS leader, clinched the overall.
It was the second time in history two Americans have won the overall World Cup. Phil
Mahre and Tamara McKinney won in 1983. Ligety's globe was the second U.S. GS title in
four years after Miller won it in 2004 and was second in 2005 by a mere three points
behind Austrian Benni Raich.
Three Battle for Title in Final Race
Ligety had to hold off the veteran Raich and an upstart newcomer, Italian Manfred
Moelgg, for the title. The Park City native skied to seventh on his first run and watched
Moelgg, skiing before him in the second run, lose time on the bottom. Ligety held pace
through the first two intermediate time checks, then destroyed the bottom of the Stelvio
course to take a huge lead. Raich needed to beat Ligety by two places for the title, but
lost it on the bottom to finish second. Miller, the first run leader, skied out on the bottom.
"The first run I skied okay, but not perfect," said Ligety. "It was more of a tactical race
than me fully going after it. And then Raich took me down by almost three tenths and I
knew I had to hammer down the second run.
"I was actually relieved that I had to throw it all on the line in the second run," he added.
"Coming down when I crossed the finish line seven tenths ahead, I was stoked but I was
also super nervous because I knew I had to wait a couple guys before he came down."
Ligety Took "Spectacular Risk" says Coach
"Ted took spectacular risk to win this race and the globe," said Head Men's Coach Phil
McNichol. "The best GS skier of the season won the globe. It was truly one of the more
spectacular accomplishments I've ever seen."
Warm, spring conditions made the risk even higher for Ligety and the other challengers.
"Everyone needed to go full gas to go for the win and the Cup," added McNichol.
"Conditions were such that you could easily end up on the wrong side of the outcome. He
actually risked a lot in the toughest part on the bottom."
"It was all about the win today for Ligety," said Alpine Director Jesse Hunt. "I can't even
explain how exciting that race was the way the GS title lined out. It was an amazing race."
Ligety Flies in Under the Radar to Take Globe
It was a sensational season for Ligety, who was second in the opening GS in Soelden,
Austria back in October. He hid below the radar much of the year, with consistent top five
results but no wins until last weekend in Kranjska Gora. He matched that win, the third of
his career, to clinch the GS title. Outside of the GS in Adelboden, Switzerland, where he
went out in the first run, he never finished lower than fifth and had four top three finishes.
"Going into the race today I was a little nervous having only a 27 point lead on Raich,"
said Ligety. "It was not very comfortable at all, being as strong of an athlete as he is."
What made the day tense for the U.S. Ski Team was just that - Raich is absolutely his
toughest when it's all on the line. And he's a seasoned veteran taking on a newcomer to
the World Cup title race in Ligety.
"The title's huge. It's sweet to have it, especially doing GS," said Ligety. "GS, in my mind,
is the event that is a gauge for everything else. If you're good at GS, you can translate
those skills. Bode's done that, Raich's done that and other guys have done that.
"To win the last two races is pretty crazy," Ligety added. "I thought I lost it half way
through the year, and to come back and have a couple clutch races is pretty surreal.
"It definitely beats out my Olympic gold for sure."
The World Cup Finals close out Saturday with the men's slalom and women's giant slalom.
Ligety will formally receive his World Cup crystal globe at a ceremony in the Bormio town
square Saturday evening.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
AUDI FIS ALPINE WORLD CUP
Bormio, Italy - March 14, 2008
Men's Giant Slalom
1. Ted Ligety, Park City, UT, 2:18.04
2. Benni Raich, Austria, 2:18.35
3. Cyprien Richard, France, 2:18.72
4. Jean-Baptiste Grange, France, 2:18.78
5. Didier Cuche, Switzerland, 2:18.92
-
Did not finish 2nd run
Bode Miller, Bretton Woods, NH
Vonn Clinches Overall Title! BORMIO, Italy (March 14) - Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) completed
her best slalom race of the season, finishing 11th and capturing enough points to clinch
the Audi FIS World Cup overall title Friday during World Cup Finals in Bormio, Italy. Vonn,
who rallied from a first run finish of 25th to win the second run by a .19 margin, is the first
American woman to win the World Cup overall title since 1983.
"Today was a great way to close it out and have a really good slalom second run to finish
out the season strong," Vonn said. "During my first run, the snow was so slow and I was
pretty bummed out about it. I looked at my starting number and realized I had to punch
back in there and that's what I did.
"I had a good section and I knew where to go and I went for it. It was pretty sweet. It was
definitely a good run and I'm glad I made it to the finish and had a fast time too."
"Lindsey had a pretty bad starting position for the first run and the snow conditions were
really soft so in that run she had no chance to do well," said Coach Alex Hoedlmoser.
"She was hoping to do well in the second run. She just went out there and had a great run."
Austrian Marlies Schild won the women's slalom, sealing her claim on the World Cup
slalom title.
Though it was almost certain that Vonn would end up taking the overall title after
finishing second in the super G finals Thursday, she waited until the title was hers
officially to try to take it all in.
"It's awesome. I kind of knew yesterday that it was over, but I didn't want to celebrate
too early," Vonn said. "First of all, I can't believe I won the downhill, and secondly, it's not
even in my realm right now to fathom that I won the overall. Tomorrow when I get the
crystal, I think it will set in."
"This is huge. Of all the small globes, the downhill title is the biggest one because it
means you are the fastest skier in the world, and that's huge. It was our goal this year,"
Hoedlmoser said. "Now, having the overall in addition, it's not really something you can
predict. She did fantastic in all the other events, too, in order to attain that [overall title].
It's pretty much one of the biggest things that can happen in skiing and she did it."
At a young age, Vonn showed she had the potential to develop into a great athlete, but it
was a chance encounter with idol Picabo Street, who won two downhill World Cup globes
('96 and '95), that gave a kid from Minneapolis the inspiration she needed to become the
best in the world.
"I've always wanted to win the downhill title because that's what Picabo did. She was
always my idol growing up," Vonn said. "Winning it was a very special time for me and
today I'm winning the overall."
A competitive skier from the time she was a young girl, Vonn grew up skiing on Buck Hill,
a tiny ski area just outside of Minneapolis, where she first fell in love with ski racing.
"I want to succeed in ski racing and I always have since I was a little kid. I have a lot of
fun ski racing and I don't ever have a problem finding motivation," Vonn said.
"She has put her whole life into this. She's always working extremely hard. It takes years
of experience and it's not easy especially if you want to win an overall title. She's really
young to have done that," Hoedlmoser said. "She's done everything she can in practice, in
training, and in her whole life to get there. She has that goal and she's just going to go for
it."
"I'm always determined. I don't know why or for what I'm determined sometimes, but I
just am. It's those goals and dreams I had when I was younger that I think propel me to
work hard."
The 2008 Audi FIS Alpine World Cup Finals continue Saturday with a men's slalom and a
women's giant slalom before concluding Sunday with a team event.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
2008 AUDI FIS ALPINE WORLD CUP FINALS
Bormio, ITA - March 14, 2008
Women's Slalom
1. Marlies Schild, Austria, 1:52.78
2. Veronika Zuzulova, Slovakia, 1:52.85
3. Sarka Zahrobska, Czech Republic, 1:53.02
4. Nicole Hosp, Austria, 1:53.08
5. Chiara Costazza, Italy, 1:53.12
-
11. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 1:54.93
Did not finish second run: Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, CA
WCSN.com will broadcast coverage of World Cup Finals daily at 8:00 a.m. ET, and
remaining on-demand for subscribers.
Vonn shocked the field, coming down 15th and taking the lead. Riesch, the World Cup
super G leader, couldn't match the American and eventually finished sixth. Only Swiss
Fabienne Suter was able to knock Vonn out of the winner's spot to take her second
career super G win, .26 ahead of Vonn. Riesch also hung on to take the super G globe, her
second after winning the super combined title last Sunday.
"It was definitely a good time to pull through in super G," said Vonn. "I've been working
with Rossignol on my skis and it paid off. We did some testing before Crans-Montana and I
changed my ski setup around a little bit. And my skis were really fast today!"
The course was rugged and soft but Vonn was happy with her tactics. "My goal was to ski
solid and not risk a lot, just to stay ahead of the course," she said. "I was active and
aggressive with the way I skied. But I kept my line conservative in places. It was cool
that we were able to run the men's course."
While a win would have wrapped up the Audi FIS World Cup title for Vonn mathematically,
she still has a virtual lock. Riesch is the only remaining contender. The German would
need to win both Friday's slalom and Saturday's giant slalom. And Vonn can clinch it
herself with a single top 15 finish in one of the two remaining events.
But the mathematics are just a formality. Both Hosp and Riesch congratulated Vonn in
the finish as the new World Cup champion.
"Niki came up to me in the winner's circle to congratulate me on a great season," said
Vonn. "She was really, really nice. I know she was hurting. She was a very gracious
champion today and that was cool. Maria also congratulated me on the overall and I did
the same for her on the super G title."
The U.S. Ski Team's Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) was seventh with Stacey Cook
(Mammoth Mountain, CA) 13th, matching her best finish of the season.
Vonn and Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH) find themselves in similar situations. Vonn
holds a 197 margin over Riesch, and Miller is 191 ahead of Swiss Didier Cuche. Both need
only a single top 15 finish in either of the final two races to clinch.
Vonn will be in her most challenging discipline, slalom, on Friday. Vonn has not been
inside the top 15 this season in a slalom, but was fourth fastest in her last combined
slalom outing. She has 10 career top 15 slalom finishes. Riesch, meanwhile, has not had a
top 15 GS this year but was on a slalom podium.
All eyes will also be on the U.S. Ski Team's Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) on Friday as he
takes a 27 point lead into the GS finals.
The races are all covered by WCSN's $4.95 monthly subscription fee, which also offers
free access to video highlights and breaking news as well as athlete blogs, including the
U.S. Ski Team's Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) and Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA).
OFFICIAL RESULTS
AUDI FIS WORLD CUP
Bormio, Italy - March 13, 2008
Women's Super G
1. Fabienne Suter, Switzerland, 1:19.48
2. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 1:19.74
3. Alexandra Meissnitzer, Austria, 1:19.85
4. Nadia Styger, Switzerland, 1:20.15
5. Elisabeth Goergl, Austria, 1:20.23
-
7. Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, CA, 1:20.36
13. Stacey Cook, Mammoth Mountain, CA, 1:20.49
Miller 12th, One Step Closer to Overall
BORMIO, Italy (March 13) - Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH) is one step closer to
capturing the World Cup overall title after finishing 12th in a dramatic super G race that
eliminated Austrian Benny Raich and distanced Switzerland's Didier Cuche from the title
as World Cup Finals got underway in Bormio, Italy Thursday. Miller only needs a single top
15 finish in the final two races to clinch the Audi FIS World Cup title.
WCSN.com will broadcast coverage of World Cup Finals daily at 8:00 a.m. ET, and
remaining on-demand for subscribers.
Austrian Hannes Reichelt won the men's race, which, in a surprising twist, allowed him to
take the World Cup super G title from Cuche by just one point. Cuche, who was the super
G leader by 99 points going into Thursday's race, finished 16th and collected no World
Cup points.
Cuche's finish also puts him 191 points behind Miller for the overall World Cup title.
Although not impossible to make up, it would require him to win the remaining two events
with Miller finishing outside the top 15. Raich, who was also in contention for the overall,
now sits 236 points behind Miller even after finishing fourth in the super G, which puts
him too far back to win.
The U.S. Ski Team's Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) entered the super G primarily to get a
firsthand look at the hill in preparation for his World Cup title bid on Friday.
"I'm feeling confident after winning the last giant slalom, so we'll see how it goes, Ligety
said. "It's going to be a long giant slalom course tomorrow so I'm going to have to get my
legs ready for sure. I made a lot of mistakes up top, so I knew I was out of it. I just tried
to skate back on the course and just make it down."
Ligety is headed into the giant slalom finals leading the standings by 27 points over Raich
with Italy's Manfred Moelgg close behind. He put himself in position for the Audi FIS World
Cup GS title with a win last weekend in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
"I just have to stay focused. I can't ski like I did today and go on some wild ride," Ligety
said. "It's going to be tough for all of us. I never took a race where I wasn't 100 percent
going for it and I need to start pushing those limits now."
Ligety needs a win or second on Friday to clinch the title. If he does, it will be the third
globe so far for American skiers. Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) won the downhill and has nearly
clinched the overall. Miller captured the super combined title and is virtually locked on
the men's overall. Both Vonn and Miller need only one top 15 to clinch.
The races are all covered by WCSN's $4.95 monthly subscription fee, which also offers
free access to video highlights and breaking news as well as athlete blogs, including the
U.S. Ski Team's Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) and Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA).
OFFICIAL RESULTS
2008 AUDI FIS ALPINE WORLD CUP FINALS
Bormio, ITA - March 13, 2008
Men's Super G
1. Hannes Reichelt, Austria, 1:45.00
2. Didier Defago, Switzerland, 1:45.01
3. Ales Gorza, Slovenia, 1:45.34
4. Benny Raich, Austria, 1:45.38
5. Francois Bourque, Canada, 1:45.51
-
12. Bode Miller, Bretton Woods, NH, 1:46.01
Disqualified - Ted Ligety, Park City, UT
Downhills Cancelled, Vonn Takes Title
BORMIO, Italy (March 12) - After delaying the start for two hours in hopes of better
conditions, the women's downhill at the World Cup Finals was cancelled. It will not be
made up. The cancellation doesn't change the current overall World Cup points but will
tighten the title race between the U.S. Ski Team's Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), German Maria
Riesch and Austrian Nicole Hosp.
Vonn, who already won the women's downhill title and was favored to extend her overall
lead during the downhill final, sits in the lead at a slim 157 points ahead of Riesch, and
178 points ahead of Hosp. There are 100 points at stake in each of the three remaining races.
The women were able to finish their mandatory downhill training run Monday, in which
Vonn led U.S. women finishing seventh. But soft snow that would have made skiing
potentially unsafe led to the competition cancellation.
The men's World Cup Finals downhill was also cancelled when athletes were unable
complete a training run prior to the race, leaving Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH) five
points short of the downhill title won by Didier Cuche of Switzerland. Miller continues to
lead the overall over Cuche and Austrian Benni Raich.
During World Cup Finals, all races must be held on the same day on which they were scheduled.
World Cup Finals continue Thursday with a super G that has the potential to narrow the
overall standings further, with Riesch headed into the race leading the super G standings.
WCSN.com will provide same-day coverage of the World Cup Finals starting at 8:00 a.m.
ET. Races are also available on-demand at WCSN.com.
The races are all covered by WCSN's $4.95 monthly subscription fee, which also offers
free access to video highlights and breaking news as well as athlete blogs, including the
U.S. Ski Team's Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) and Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA).
Downhill Globe Lifelong Goal for Vonn
BORMIO, Italy (March 12) - Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) fulfilled her lifelong goal of winning the
World Cup downhill title when she received the coveted crystal globe on Wednesday
during World Cup Finals in Bormio, Italy. She received the globe in the same village where
her childhood hero Picabo Street first won it in 1995 when Vonn was just nine.
"It's amazing. I was really happy about it in Whistler when I knew I had won, but it's not
the same until you actually get the globe. It's beautiful," Vonn said. "I've been dreaming
about the downhill globe since I was a kid and it's surreal that it has finally come true. It's
amazing to finally have it in my hands. It's everything that had dreamed it would be."
Flatland Midwesterner Rules the Big Mountains
Vonn grew up on tiny Buck Hill outside Minneapolis. She showed signs of promise as a
young ski racer in a USSA club program under noted coach Erich Sailer. After a few years,
she moved on to Ski Club Vail where she continued her ascent to becoming the best in
the world.
"It's not easy to get to where I am. When you see me race, in the start or in the finish,
that's the final product. You don't see everything that goes into it," Vonn said. "It's a lot of
work. In the summer I'm in the gym between six and eight hours a day. It's tough."
Dream Started with a Hero
Vonn has been a competitive skier for most of her life, spending countless hours trying to
reach extreme goals. But being able to attain the World Cup downhill title holds a special
and personal significance to her that dates back to an encounter when she was a young girl.
"When I first met Picabo Street was when I first dreamed of winning the downhill title,"
Vonn said. Street also won her first of two World Cup downhill globes in Bormio..
"She really inspired me to want to win it. And I've been working hard to get there ever
since. I just can't even believe it. It's been a lifelong goal of mine and it's finally here so
I'm just ecstatic," Vonn said.
Sights Now Set on Overall
Vonn was awarded her globe following the cancellation of both the men's and women's
World Cup Final downhill races due to soft snow conditions.
"I was a little disappointed that the race got canceled today. I think that hurts my
chances of the overall a little bit, but I'm going to keep fighting," Vonn said. "I just have to
keep on doing what I've been doing and hopefully we have some more races this week."
Although it was Vonn's main focus to become the World Cup downhill champion, another
title is within her reach as she sits in the lead of the overall World Cup standings.
"It's huge. I wasn't even close to thinking about the overall this year. I was just hoping for
a downhill title," Vonn said. "The overall is such a respected and coveted trophy. I can't
even tell you how much it would mean to me if I won it. Not very many people in the
history of the United States have won it."
Vonn, along with fellow American Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH) are both poised to win
the overall World Cup titles. It would mark the first U.S. wins since Phil Mahre and Tamara
McKinney both won in 1983
"It would be a pretty historic day. Hopefully it works out for the two of us. The overall is
so high up there. It's like an Olympic gold medal," Vonn said.
World Cup Finals continue Thursday with men's and women's super G. WCSN.com will be
broadcasting all World Cup Finals races starting daily at 8:00 a.m. ET and remaining
on-demand for subscribers.
Men's DH Scrubbed, Cuche Wins Title
BORMIO, Italy (March 11) - Wednesday's scheduled Audi FIS World Cup Finals men's
downhill has been canceled, handing the title to Swiss Didier Cuche with a five-point
margin over American Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH) and Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley,
CA) fourth. Warm temperatures and soft snow forced organizers to cancel both the men's
and women's downhill training runs scheduled for Tuesday. FIS rules mandate at least
one downhill training run prior to a race, therefore the men's downhill was scrubbed.
Miller continues to lead the overall.
The women had a successful training run on Monday and their race will proceed as
scheduled with World Cup overall leader Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) and Olympic giant slalom
Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) starting for the U.S. Ski Team.
Vonn has already secured the World Cup downhill title and holds a 157 point lead in the
overall standings. With four races remaining, Vonn has 1,263 points to 1,106 for World
Cup super combined champion Maria Riesch of Germany. Austrian Nicole Hosp, the
reigning overall champion, is in third with 1,085 points.
The cancellation left Miller in second. The U.S. Ski Team's Sullivan, who won the famed
Kandahar in Chamonix, France in January, finished fourth, his best season ever.
Teammates Steven Nyman (Provo, UT) and Scott Macartney (Crystal Mountain, WA) were
also on World Cup downhill podiums.
With the men's downhill cancellation, Miller retains a 169 point lead over Cuche with
three races left on the World Cup schedule. Defending overall champion, Benni Raich of
Austria, is in third 264 points behind Miller.
Miller had been favored to pass Cuche in the race. He had won a World Cup on the Stelvio
course in December, and swept the speed events at the 2005 FIS Alpine Ski World
Championships in Bormio. Ironically, Miller won the 2004 World Cup giant slalom title in
similar fashion when the race was cancelled before the second run because of fog. Miller
had skied out in the first run with Finn Kalle Palander poised to pass him for the title.
The U.S. Ski Team's Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) will go into Friday's giant slalom finals with
the World Cup lead. He holds a 27 point margin over Austrian Benni Raich, and a 33 point
spread over fast-rising young Italian star, Manfred Moelgg.
The last time two Americans led and then won the overall World Cup was Phil Mahre and
Tamara McKinney in 1983.
World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) will air same-day coverage beginning at 8:00
a.m. ET daily, with all events also being available on-demand. A complete schedule of
same day coverage is available at WCSN.com. WCSN is also available in selected cable
television markets across the USA.
Francis Takes NorAm Win, Title
WILMINGTON, N.Y. (March 11) - On a picture perfect day for skiing, Kevin Francis (Bend,
OR) led a U.S. sweep with a win in the men's super G Tuesday as the 2008 Alpine NorAm
Cup Finals got underway at Whiteface Mountain, outside Lake Placid. The win gave him
the season NorAm Cup super G title.
Francis combined an early start with excellent course conditions and precise skiing to
claim the victory down the quick Whiteface course. It was the first NorAm title of his
career. With a vertical drop of 466 meters, the men raced on a varied course that
presented steeps, flats and transitions that Francis, wearing the red super G leader's bib,
negotiated in 1:05.89 seconds.
Hometown favorite Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY) took second and T.J. Lanning
(Park City, UT) completed the American sweep in third.
U.S. women, who competed in a super combined that mixed super G with a run of slalom,
were led by Kiley Staples (Park City, UT). She broke a Canadian attempt at a sweep by
coming back from sixth in the super G to finish third. Canadians Emilie Desforges and Erin
Mielzynskia finished first and second.
Chelsea Marshall (Pittsfield, VT) was seventh, but it was enough to clinch a tie for the
NorAm Cup super combined title with Canadian Larisa Yurkiw.
Americans have now claimed each of four titles. In addition to those awarded Tuesday at
Lake Placid, Jeremy Transue (Hunter Mountain, NY) and Marshall won NorAm Cup
downhill titles in earlier events.
The 2008 Alpine NorAm Cup continues Wednesday with the men's super combined and
ladies super G.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
2008 ALPINE NORAM CUP
Lake Placid, N.Y. - March 11, 2008
Men's Super G
1. Kevin Francis, Bend, OR, 1:05.89
2. Andrew Weibrecht, Lake Placid, NY, 1:06.21
3. T.J. Lanning, Park City, UT, 1:06.55
4. Patrick Wright, Canada, 1:06.67
5. Gareth Sine, Canada, 1:06.69
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8. Travis Ganong, Olympic Valley, NY, 1:06.84
10. Chris Frank, Windham, NY, 1:06.87
Women's Super Combined
1. Emilie Desforges, Canada, 1:46.07
2. Erin Mielzynski, Canada, 1:46.14
3. Kiley Staples, Park City, UT, 1:46.15
4. Leanne Smith, Conway, NH, 1:46.20
5. Megan McJames, Park City, UT, 1:46.30
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6. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 1:46.52
7. Chelsea Marshall, Pittsfield, VT, 1:46.66
8. Jennifer Vanwagner, Traverse City, MI, 1:47.11
Ligety Wins, Takes over GS Lead
KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia (March 8) - Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) moved into the Audi FIS
World Cup giant slalom lead Saturday with an impressive win in Kranjska Gora. Ligety,
third after the first run, crushed the bottom of the Podkoren 3 course to pickup the
victory. His win came just an hour after teammate Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) expanded her
World Cup lead with a dominating downhill triumph in Crans Montana, Switzerland.
It was Ligety's first World Cup victory since March 5, 2006 when he won a GS in
Yongpyong, Korea just after his Olympic combined gold. The win vaulted Ligety into the
World Cup GS lead with one event remaining when Austrian Benni Raich was fourth. Bode
Miller (Bretton Woods, NH) was 11th and lost a little ground in the overall as Swiss Didier
Cuche was sixth, but still remains in a dominating lead position.
Win Special One for Ligety to Break Drought
"It's nice for sure, it's been a long time coming since my last two victories so this is
sweet," said Ligety. "I've had a lot of podiums, but have been missing a win. This is
almost as special as the gold medal because it's so much harder to get a World Cup victory."
"Ted put together two solid runs, which he's been struggling with all year," said Men's
Head Coach Phil McNichol. "He hasn't been able to put two perfect runs together. He
really challenged himself on each run and put some risk into the second run. It meant a
lot to him to win today."
Ligety had been third after the first run, two-tenths behind the leader Massimiliano
Blardone of Italy. He had trouble at the top of the second run and actually went down in
time on the race leader. But he came back to destroy the bottom section of the course to
move into the lead. Neither of the two remaining Italians could match Ligety and he came
away with his second career win.
"Ted was really pushing the line on the second run, charging and trying to make speed
instead of holding back, especially on the bottom," said McNichol. "Raich was also
charging but hooked his arm on a gate. Ted was able to keep it together and take a tight
line with some really explosive skiing."
Ligety Holds Slim Lead in GS Heading into Finals
The Olympic combined champion now has a 27 point lead over Raich in GS going into the
Finals. "It's nice to take the lead going into Bormio," said Ligety, "but it's not a done deal
by any means with Moelgg and Raich really close. Those guys are tough to beat any time
we race. Bormio is going to be tough."
"As Ted said today, he's taking every run and race one at a time," added McNichol. "It's
so close between Moelgg, Raich and Ted. He has to go in trying to put a great race
together. He has to utilize his top seven start position in the first run."
It was a course familiar to Ligety, who had been fourth there a year ago. "It's my favorite
slalom hill on the World Cup, so I'm looking forward to racing again tomorrow," he said.
"It's rolling and you don't have to chuck it too hard, it's fun. The GS hill is pretty sweet
too. Other than Soelden and Alta Badia, it's one of the best."
Miller Remains in Command of Overall
Miller still holds a 169 point spread over Cuche, who will not be a factor in Sunday's
slalom. Raich is 264 points back. Miller is guaranteed to take the lead into the World Cup
Finals in Bormio, Italy which kickoff with the downhill on Wednesday. Miller brings a
strong track record on Bormio's Stelvio course, where he won the downhill World Cup in
December and swept the downhill and super G in the 2005 FIS Alpine World
Championships there.
The men are back in action Sunday in Kranjska Gora with a slalom before heading to the
Finals. Ligety will face Raich again in the GS finale next Friday to determine the champion.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
AUDI FIS WORLD CUP
Kranjska Gora, SLO - March 8, 2008
Men's Giant Slalom
1. Ted Ligety, Park City, UT, 2:24.31
2. Manfred Moelgg, Italy, 2:24.46
3. Massimiliano Blardone, Italy, 2:25.11
4. Benni Raich, Austria, 2:25.45
5. Marc Berthod, Switzerland, 2:26.12
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11. Bode Miller, Bretton Woods, NH, 2:27.23
26. Erik Schlopy, Park City, UT, 2:28.73
WCSN To Air World Cup Title Chase
BORMIO, Italy (March 10) - World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) will provide same
day coverage this week as the title chase for ski racing's Audi FIS Alpine World Cup goes
down to the wire. Americans Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) and Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH)
are in the lead in the overall, and Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) is on top in giant slalom.
Titles will be determined over a series of races March 12-16 in Bormio, Italy.
Coverage begins at 8:00 a.m. ET daily beginning Wednesday, March 12 with the final
World Cup downhills, and continuing through Sunday's final team event.
Vonn is pitted in a close battle with German Maria Riesch and defending champion Nicole
Hosp of Austria, with a 157-point lead over Riesch going into the Finals. Miller,
meanwhile, enjoys a 169-point margin over Swiss Didier Cuche, and 267 back to Austria's
Benni Raich, who will be his toughest challenger.
Vonn has already clinched the women's downhill title and will receive her crystal globe
Wednesday evening. Miller, meanwhile, tightened the men's downhill race with a win in
Kvitfjell, Norway 10 days ago. He's only five points behind leader Cuche. Miller has a
strong record on the fabled Stelvio course, winning the World Cup downhill in December
and sweeping the downhill and super G gold at the 2005 FIS Alpine Ski World
Championships. It will be the first time on the Bormio speed courses for the women.
With 100 points at stake in each race, Miller could knock Raich out of contention in the
opening downhill. For example, a win by Miller and third or lower for Raich would
eliminate the Austrian from the overall title. Cuche, while closer, is also not expected to
compete in the slalom, narrowing his chances for passing Miller.
Friday's (March 14) showdown in the men's giant slalom finals will pit the U.S. Ski Team's
Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) against Raich, with Italy's Manfred Moelgg just 11 points
behind Raich. Ligety put himself back into the lead Saturday with a win in Kranjska Gora,
Slovenia. He holds a 27 point lead over Raich. A second place or better will win the title
for the Olympic combined champion Ligety.
Vonn, meanwhile, will face her toughest event in the Friday women's slalom finale. Her
strategy will have been to build enough of a lead in the downhill and super G, then hold on
for a top-15 finish. Only those top-15 finishers receive World Cup points in the Finals.
Austrians Marlies Schild and Hosp are battling for the title - presently the only one of 12
title chases where an Austrian leads!
The women wrap up with a giant slalom on Saturday, March 15. Italy's Denise Karbon has
already clinched the title, but the U.S. Ski Team's Mancuso has a shot at moving up from
fourth to third. The men close out with a slalom, where Italian Manfred Moelgg moved into
a slim lead last weekend.
The last American overall titlists were Tamara McKinney (Olympic Valley, CA) and Phil
Mahre (Yakima, WA) in 1983.
Vonn Third in World Cup Super Combined
CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (March 9) - Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) landed on the podium
for the second time this weekend, finishing third in a World Cup super combined in
Switzerland on Sunday. German Maria Riesch was second to clinch the super combined
World Cup title and move ahead of Austrian Nicole Hosp to second in the overall, 157
points behind Vonn.
WCSN.com will broadcast the women's slalom starting at 12 p.m. ET.
Sweden's Anja Paerson won the super combined, marking her third win this season.
Vonn led the downhill portion of the race by a dominating .89 seconds, but finished 16th
in the slalom to finish third.
"I think the downhill portion went pretty well. I made a couple of small mistakes, but I
still had a pretty good advantage going into the slalom," Vonn said. "The slalom was
really tough because it was warm and the snow turned to slush. I went a little too straight
going into the flat section and I lost all of my speed. But, I'm really happy with third
place."
"She dominated the downhill again. She did a fantastic job and was thrashing everybody
by almost a second," said Speed Head Coach Alex Hoedlmoser. "It was a perfect scenario
going into the slalom. But in the slalom she had a big mistake before the flat [section] and
that was it so she ended up third. With a normal solid slalom run, she would have won
that easily."
Vonn, who won the season's first super combined in St. Anton, Austria, finished second in
the World Cup super combined standings. German Maria Riesch, who finished second
behind Anja Paerson of Sweden in the race, was able to secure her place as leader of the
World Cup super combined standings.
"It was a good day and I'm really happy for Maria that she won the super combined globe.
She worked really hard to get it," Vonn said.
Vonn now leads the World Cup overall standings by a 157-point margin. Riesch moved into
second, bumping Hosp to third.
"This weekend was a big step in the right direction, but it's not over until it's over. I have
to keep working hard, especially in the next two speed events, and try to maintain that
advantage," Vonn said. "Nikki and Maria are both skiing really well right now and they're
both within striking distance and I just have to do what I'm doing and hopefully that will
get me on top."
It was also a special day for Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) who celebrated her
birthday during the super combined. The Swiss played her Happy Birthday over the public
address system and presented Mancuso, who finished 25th in the race, with a bouquet of
flowers following her downhill run.
"Julia had a pretty good downhill. She had a little bit of a mistake at the top, but the
bottom was really good and she was ninth," Hoedlmoser said. "She had a decent upper
part of the slalom, but had some mistakes at the bottom."
The Audi FIS Alpine World Cup now heads to Bormio, Italy, for World Cup finals March
12-16. Racing opens with the downhill Wednesday, a title Vonn clinched last month. There
will be 400 total points at stake over the four races, with Vonn holding a 157 point margin.
"It was a really good weekend and now I'm looking forward to racing in Bormio," Vonn said.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
2008 AUDI FIS ALPINE WORLD CUP
Crans-Montana, SUI - March 9, 2008
Women's Slalom
1. Anja Paerson, Sweden, 2:30.60
2. Maria Riesch, Germany, 2:30.80
3. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 2:30.86
4. Elisabeth Goergl, Austria, 2:31.05
5. Ingrid Jacquemod, France, 2:31.71
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23. Stacey Cook, Mammoth, CA, 2:34.18
25. Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, CA, 2:34.36
Ligety Seventh in World Cup Slalom
KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia (March 9) - Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) led U.S. skiers, finishing
seventh in a World Cup slalom in Slovenia Sunday. The overall Audi FIS World Cup
standings remained the same as Austrian Benni Raich skied out in the first run, and
leader Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH) chose to not start.
Ligety, who won a men's giant slalom a day earlier, tied for the fastest second run, but
could not make up for time lost in the first run.
"Ted was a little flat this morning and was just not able to attack. It was a combination of
not a very good first run with two seconds out," said Technical (SL/GS) Head Coach
Sascha Rearick. "The second run was on a very nice course. The conditions were better
and Ted fully attacked. He had a fantastic run and he skied brilliant. He took risks but
also skied balanced."
Italian Manfred Moelgg won the men's slalom, putting him just 21 points behind World Cup
slalom leader Jean-Baptiste Grange of France, who finished fourth.
Miller decided to not start after watching Raich ski out, opting to be content with his
points lead and rest himself for the important battles in Bormio, Italy next week. Swiss
Didier Cuche, who is second, does not compete in slalom. Moelgg's win puts him in fourth
in the overall with Ligety fifth.
The U.S. Ski Team's Jimmy Cochran (Keene, NH) did not qualify for the second run of the
slalom. "Jimmy skied really well but made a mistake at the bottom and it cost him in
qualifying," Rearick said.
The men's alpine circuit now heads to Bormio, Italy for World Cup Finals March 12-16.
Miller holds a commanding lead of 167 points over Cuche, who is not expected to ski
slalom, and 264 over Raich. The Finals open with downhill on Wednesday on the
challenging Stelvio course, where Miller won in December and swept the speed events at
World Championships in 2005. Ligety goes to Bormio in the giant slalom lead, hoping to
hold off Moelgg in Friday's GS.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
AUDI FIS WORLD CUP
Kranjska Gora, SLO - March 9, 2008
Men's Slalom
1. Manfred Moelgg, Italy, 1:42.29
2. Ivica Kostelic, Croatia, 1:42.70
3. Marcel Hirscher, Austria, 1:42.78
4. Jean-Baptiste Grange, France, 1:42.84
5. Reinfried Herbst, Austria, 1:42.93
-
7. Ted Ligety, Park City, UT, 1:43.52
-
Did not qualify for 2nd run: Jimmy Cochran, Keene, NH
-
Did not start 1st run: Bode Miller, Bretton Woods, NH
Vonn Wins 10th World Cup Downhill
CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (March 8) - Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) set a new U.S. record,
winning her 10th World Cup downhill Saturday in Switzerland. Vonn won by a huge .61
margin over Austrian Renate Goetchl to extend her overall World Cup lead to 150 points.
Further east in Europe, teammate Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) won a giant slalom In
Kransjska Gora, Slovenia. It's the first American victory sweep since Bode Miller (Bretton
Woods, NH) and Vonn (then Kildow) won together on Dec. 20, 2006 when Miller took a
super G in Hinterstoder, Austria, and Kildow won the downhill in Val d'Isere, France.
"It was awesome. It was a pretty tough day because the light was flat on the top section
so I was pretty nervous from the top, but I think I had a solid run from top to bottom,"
Vonn said. "I'm just really happy I made it to the finish and to win again this season is
amazing. It's just been a crazy ride this whole season and I couldn't be happier."
Her 29th top-3 finish of her young career, Vonn's win broke previous records set by
childhood idol Picabo Street and former teammate Daron Rahlves who each had nine
World Cup downhill wins making her the most successful American World Cup speed
racer. In addition, she secured the downhill title in February at Whistler, BC on the 2010
Olympic trail.
"It's incredible. I was just excited to be tied with Picabo and Daron before. Now to have
broken the record is incredible," Vonn said. "It's a dream come true and I couldn't have
asked for more. I'm extremely honored."
Overall challenger Austria's Nicole Hosp, more of a technical (SL/GS) skier, finished 27th
in the downhill. Hosp and Germany's Maria Riesch are chasing Vonn in the overall title chase.
Crans Montana Has Its Challenges
Foggy conditions led to a 15-minute delay of the race before race officials lowered the
start to get competition underway. After dropping back in time slightly out of the start,
Vonn won each of the three remaining intermediate times to secure her victory.
"It's never easy when you have tough conditions. Anything can happen," Vonn said. "My
goal today was to just be solid and have a clean run and I think I did a good job. I'm happy
with the way things went."
"Lindsey's really confident right now so she was dominating the downhill again," said
Head Coach Alex Hoedlmoser. "Even on the shorter downhill she schooled everyone. It
was an excellent performance for her."
After nailing some tough race sections, Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) finished
fourth, narrowly missing the podium by .03 seconds.
"Julia definitely stepped it up from the training runs," Hoedlmoser said. "She didn't have
any good finishes in the training but she did a great job today and only missed the podium
by a couple of hundredths."
Combined Title in Reach
The Audi FIS Alpine World Cup continues Sunday with a super combined that will mix
downhill and one run of slalom. Heading into the final combined race of the season, Vonn
and Mancuso are second and third in the combined standings, just 40 and 84 points
behind Riesch.
"I think tomorrow I'm just going to try to keep the same attitude I had today and just try
to have a solid run," Vonn said. "Hopefully I can get a good time margin so I don't have to
risk too much with the slalom because the slalom is always difficult for me. So, my goal is
to just have a good run in the downhill and ski solid in the slalom."
OFFICIAL RESULTS
2008 AUDI FIS ALPINE WORLD CUP
Crans-Montana, SUI - March 8, 2008
Women's Downhill
1. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 1:23.57
2. Renate Goetschl, Austria, 1:24.18
3. Nadia Fanchini, Italy, 1:24.21
4. Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, CA, 1:24.24
5. Maria Riesch, Germany, 1:24.37
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32. Stacey Cook, Mammoth, CA, 1:25.75
Miller Extends Overall Lead, 2nd in SG
KVITFJELL, Norway (March 2) - World Cup overall leader Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH)
added some distance on Swiss chaser Didier Cuche and Austrian Benni Raich after
finishing second, .12 ahead of Cuche, in the Kvitfjell super G on the 1994 Olympic course.
The podium was Miller's third of the weekend as Austrian Georg Streitberger won with a
time of 1:26.68, just .20 in front of Miller. Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) was 17th and
Steven Nyman (Provo, UT) 24th.
Fellow American Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) also leads the women's overall World Cup
standings. It is the first time two U.S. skiers have held the position since Phil Mahre and
Tamara McKinney captured the overall titles in 1983. Miller has already secured the super
combined crystal globe, while Vonn locked the women's downhill title last weekend.
"It was a hell of a weekend for Bode. He's skiing with so much confidence right now and
has put himself in a great position going into World Cup Finals. He wants that overall title
and he wants the downhill title," said Speed Head Coach Chris Brigham.
"It was great to see Marco finish up there today too, he's pretty banged up after crashing
in both downhills, but he did some work with Team physio [Paul Frankham] this morning
and took advantage of an early starting spot to score some points."
Brigham was also pleased with Nyman's result saying he skied fast in a couple of
sections and was in 10th going into the final split before making a small mistake on the
bottom as clouds moved over the hill.
With six races remaining in the season, Miller has 1,363 points to 1,178 for Cuche, who
took over second place after Saturday's downhill. Raich is third with 1,073. The World Cup
now swings to Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, for a giant slalom and slalom, the final races
before World Cup Finals scheduled for March 12-19 in Bormio, Italy.
"Cuche is going to have to ski some pretty spectacular GS next weekend and Benni
knows he has to have two solid races to stay in it. Like I said yesterday, Bormio is going
to be pretty exciting," said Brigham.
Going into Kranjska Gora, Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) is just 23 points behind Raich for the
GS crystal globe. Ligety tied for fourth in GS at the Slovenian resort last season, just .05
off the podium and finished third in a slalom there in 2005 for the second World Cup
podium of his career.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
2008 AUDI FIS ALPINE WORLD CUP
Kvitfjell, NOR - March 2, 2008
Men's super G
1. Georg Streitberger, Austria, 1:26.68
2. Bode Miller, Bretton Woods, NH, 1:26.88
3. Didier Cuche, Switzerland, 1:27.00
4T. Ambrosi Hoffmann, Switzerland, 1:27.10
4T. Robbie Dixon, Canada, 1:27.10
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17. Marco Sullivan, Squaw Valley, CA, 1:27.66
24. Steven Nyman, Provo, UT, 1:27.93
Miller Wins, Nears DH Cup Lead
KVITFJELL, Norway (March 1) - Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH) held the lead the entire
length of the Olympiabakken downhill Saturday to win a U.S. record 31st World Cup. The
victory, his sixth of the season, moved him within five points of World Cup downhill leader
Didier Cuche of Switzerland, who finished second, for the downhill lead with one race
remaining.
Miller also gained 100 points in the overall World Cup chase as Austrian Benni Raich
failed to finish. Americans Steven Nyman (Provo, UT) and Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley,
CA) also went out. With seven World Cup races remaining, Miller has 1,283 points to 1,118
for Raich.
"Bode put the heat on Cuche for the downhill title and he put the heat on Raich for the
overall. Bormio [Italy, site of the March 12-16 World Cup Finals] is going to be exciting,"
said Speed Head Coach Chris Brigham.
"Nyman had some trouble at the top, but skied the middle pretty well before going out at
the bottom and Sullivan had a decent run going before he crashed about the same spot as
Nyman went out,"