Lake Louise: Vonn rips through field for DH win
The name on the deed has changed, but the owner of the Lake Louise downhill track hasn't. Lindsey Kildow — now Lindsey Vonn — overpowered the field Saturday (Dec. 1) for her fourth win in four years at Lake Louise. She had to best the "Speed Queen" Renate Goetschl to claim the first downhill win of the 2008 World Cup season, and she did so by an astounding 0.78 of a second.
The placing for Goetschl will have Austria breathing a sigh of relief. The 32 year old veteran gamely tried to close out last season with a broken leg bone, eventually electing surgery just ahead of the World Cup finals. Although she has repeatedly said she is still working her way back into shape, this result dispels that notion and proves she will be a factor on the Cup circuit as she shoots for a sixth downhill title. Vonn, too, skipped the last weeks of last season's tour with a knee injury.
THE NAME on the deed has changed, but the owner of the Lake Louise downhill track hasn't. Lindsey Kildow — now Lindsey Vonn — overpowered the field Saturday (Dec. 1) for her fourth win in four years at Lake Louise. She had to best the "Speed Queen" Renate Goetschl to claim the first downhill win of the 2008 World Cup season, and she did so by an astounding 0.78 of a second.
“Fortunately I managed to pull together a strong run — not perfect, but good enough to be once again the fastest. I feel elate and immensely happy. I definitely wish to be as successful now that I’m married as I used to in recent seasons. I feel sort of completed since I married Thomas and I’m enjoying my life even more now.”
Vonn, who achieved some promising performances in the technical events at Sölden and Panorama, hopes to become a main contender in the fight for the overall and downhill World Cups.
“When I was a child I dreamed about clinching the overall title, it’s a huge achievement for a ski racer – but I would be happy with any crystal globe.”
The placing for Goetschl will have Austria breathing a sigh of relief. The 32-year-old veteran gamely tried to close out last season with a broken leg bone, eventually electing surgery just ahead of the World Cup finals. Although she has repeatedly said she is still working her way back into shape, this result dispels that notion and proves she will be a factor on the Cup circuit as she shoots for a sixth downhill title. Vonn, too, skipped the last weeks of last season's tour with a knee injury.
“I was aiming for a top 15 this morning, I’m totally surprised, it’s amazing,” said the multiple downhill World Cup champion who set a record of 10 wins in the same area last winter when she won the downhill at Cortina d’Ampezzo. She is also the last Austrian to win the downhill at Lake Louise, in 1998.
“I only started to train at the end of last summer and I still need to get some mileage under my skis to feel as confident and prepared as in past years,” Goetschl added. “I guess that my experience and the pleasure to be racing again here explain that wonderful and unexpected performance. It’s great to start the season so well, I can be more relaxed now before my next races.”
There also was relief for the hosting Canadians as Britt Janyk claimed the third podium spot and the first points of the season for the Canadian women. She said she was "speechless" after finally achieving her first podium. She pushed early leader Maria Riesch of German off the podium.
“I was definitely inspired by Jan Hudec’s success here last week and I felt ready for a good race today after my last strong training runs,” Janyk said. “I surely didn’t expect to get my first podium in downhill because I feel stronger in Super-G or giant slalom but I take it. It’s wonderful to excel her today in front of my friends and family and I’m looking forward for the next speed events in Whistler next year.”
Janyk is the first Canadian to podium in downhill at Lake Louise — and the first in the country since Kerrin Lee Gartner was second at Panorama in 1992.
Vonn's teammates also confident she could win
The race, held in sub-zero conditions, seemed to be held in sections. "Nobody thought Maria Riesch's time was beatable," said U.S. women's speed coach Alex Hoedlmoser. "And then Goetschl came down and just smashed it, which was a surprise because in training she was back there."
Running three bibs after Goetschl, Vonn uncorked the run of the day. "We were confident," said Hoedlmoser, "but not that confident. It was the first speed race of the season and you never know. You think you know, but you're not sure. So it was a very exciting race."
But Vonn and the other U.S. women were confident she would win.
"She knew she could get it. I knew she could do it. We all knew she could do it," said teammate Leanne Smith who also had a stellar day, placing 23rd in her first World Cup start.
Vonn said winning today was about having confidence in herself and in the hill, which she has dominated over the past four years.
"I just love the hill," she said. "There are certain hills that any athlete loves and feels confident on, and this is my hill. … I just know the hill like the back of my hand."
The Canadians got three scoring results as Emily Brydon posted 16th and Kelly Vanderbeek 21st. The U.S. also got three scorers, two of them expected and one pleasant surprise. Julia Mancuso finished 13th but Smith turned heads like Andrew Weibrecht did yesterday in the men's downhill when he came from the back of the pack to take 10th.
"She was really impressive in her first World Cup start," Hoedlmoser said. "She's a really good kid, a fast kid. It's good to have her around. We need someone from the back to push a little bit. She had fast sections in training, but couldn't put it altogether. Today she got it right."
Smith was pretty pleased by scoring World Cup points in her first showing.
"I'm psyched," she said. "I couldn't have asked for anything better."
— Vanessa Pierce and Patrick Lang contributed to this story
THE SCOOP
By Hank McKee
Equipment
Women's Downhill, Lake Louise, Canada, Dec. 1, 2007
Skier, skis/boots/bindings
1 Vonn, Rossignol/Rossignol/Rossignol
2 Goetschl, Atomic/Atomic/Atomic
3 Janyk, Volkl/Lange/Marker
4 Riesch, Head/Lange/Tyrolia
5 Jacquemod, Salomon/Salomon/Salomon
6 Holaus, Volkl/Tecnica/Marker
7 Paerson, Salomon/Salomon/Salomon
8 Meissnitzer, Volkl/Fischer/Marker
9 Marchand-Arvier, Salomon/Salomon/Salomon
10 Merighetti, Salomon/Salomon/Salomon
Women's Downhill, Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, Dec. 1, 2007. … It is the fifth race of the women's 39 event World Cup schedule. … It is the first of 10 scheduled downhills. … It is the third of four Cup races at Lake Louise this season, the first of two women's races. … It is the 64th World Cup race hosted at Lake Louise. … the 39th downhill. … the 27th women's downhill.
It is the eighth career World Cup win for Vonn and sixth in downhill. … It is her fourth DH win at Lake Louise, matching the record mark of Italian racer Isolde Kostner. … She has won in four consecutive seasons – but not consecutive races as Lake Louise hosted double downhills in 2004, 2005 and 2006. … In 12 completed races (DH and super G) at Lake Louise, Vonn has been on seven podiums.
It is the 104th World Cup podium for Renate Goetschl. … The 56th in downhill. … And her 13th podium at Lake Louise (9 in DH, 4 in SG). … She has won the downhill title five times, including last season which ended prematurely.
It is the first career podium for Britt Janyk, her previous best being fourth achieved in super G at SanSicario twice last season (Jan 26 and Jan 28). … Her best previous result in DH is 10th scored at Tarvisio March 3, 2007. … She had no downhill results at all previous to last season.
It is the third best career result in downhill at Lake Louise for Julia Mancuso. … She was fourth Dec. 2, 2005 and 10th Dec. 2, 2006. … It is the fourth best DH result at Lake Louise for Emily Brydon, her best being fourth Dec. 6, 2003. … It is the eighth best of nine scoring results at Lake Louise for Kelly Vanderbeek. … It is the first career scoring result – and her first World Cup start – for Leanne Smith. … She becomes the 14th different U.S. skier to score this season.
Winning margin is .78 of a second. … Third place is over a second out (1.27). … Top eight within two seconds. … top 23 within three seconds. … Marlies Schild (47th in race) maintains her hold on the World Cup overall standings 262-209 over Denise Karbon (did not race). … Nicole Hosp (11th in race) tightens the standings in third at 186. … Julia Mancuso is the top American in the overall standings in sixth with 141pts. … Vonn sits 10th overall with 122pts. … As it is the first DH of the season Vonn holds the DH standings lead 100-80 over Goetschl. … top five skiers were from different countries and utilized different brand skis.
Rank | Bib | FIS Code | Name | Year | Nation | Total Time | FIS Points |
1 | 22 | 537544 | VONN Lindsey | 1984 | USA | 1:48.69 | 0.00 |
2 | 19 | 55069 | GOETSCHL Renate | 1975 | AUT | 1:49.47 | 9.69 |
3 | 24 | 106022 | JANYK Britt | 1980 | CAN | 1:49.96 | 15.77 |
4 | 11 | 206001 | RIESCH Maria | 1984 | GER | 1:50.05 | 16.89 |
5 | 16 | 195671 | JACQUEMOD Ingrid | 1978 | FRA | 1:50.09 | 17.39 |
6 | 28 | 55669 | HOLAUS Maria | 1983 | AUT | 1:50.13 | 17.89 |
7 | 21 | 505483 | PAERSON Anja | 1981 | SWE | 1:50.37 | 20.87 |
8 | 23 | 55212 | MEISSNITZER Alexandra | 1973 | AUT | 1:50.40 | 21.24 |
9 | 14 | 196460 | MARCHAND-ARVIER Marie | 1985 | FRA | 1:50.77 | 25.83 |
10 | 30 | 296008 | MERIGHETTI Daniela | 1981 | ITA | 1:50.79 | 26.08 |
11 | 8 | 55690 | HOSP Nicole | 1983 | AUT | 1:50.83 | 26.58 |
12 | 10 | 55576 | GOERGL Elisabeth | 1981 | AUT | 1:50.90 | 27.45 |
13 | 20 | 537545 | MANCUSO Julia | 1984 | USA | 1:50.95 | 28.07 |
14 | 26 | 495318 | RUIZ CASTILLO Carolina | 1981 | SPA | 1:50.97 | 28.32 |
15 | 2 | 55588 | RUMPFHUBER Ingrid | 1981 | AUT | 1:51.03 | 29.06 |
16 | 12 | 105997 | BRYDON Emily | 1980 | CAN | 1:51.10 | 29.93 |
17 | 38 | 515560 | SCHILD Martina | 1981 | SUI | 1:51.13 | 30.31 |
18 | 4 | 296472 | FANCHINI Elena | 1985 | ITA | 1:51.14 | 30.43 |
19 | 18 | 515170 | STYGER Nadia | 1978 | SUI | 1:51.26 | 31.92 |
20 | 29 | 515409 | BERTHOD Sylviane | 1977 | SUI | 1:51.31 | 32.54 |
21 | 13 | 106402 | VANDERBEEK Kelly | 1983 | CAN | 1:51.34 | 32.91 |
22 | 17 | 515747 | GISIN Dominique | 1985 | SUI | 1:51.44 | 34.16 |
23 | 46 | 538305 | SMITH Leanne | 1987 | USA | 1:51.57 | 35.77 |
24 | 43 | 206175 | STECHERT Gina | 1987 | GER | 1:51.70 | 37.39 |
25 | 44 | 196573 | REVILLET Aurelie | 1986 | FRA | 1:51.85 | 39.25 |
26 | 15 | 55750 | FISCHBACHER Andrea | 1985 | AUT | 1:51.93 | 40.24 |
27 | 27 | 505449 | BENT Nike | 1981 | SWE | 1:52.08 | 42.11 |
28 | 25 | 225206 | ALCOTT Chemmy | 1982 | GBR | 1:52.11 | 42.48 |
29 | 57 | 296431 | STUFFER Verena | 1984 | ITA | 1:52.21 | 43.72 |
30 | 6 | 515429 | DUMERMUTH Monika | 1977 | SUI | 1:52.28 | 44.59 |
31 | 32 | 55691 | SPONRING Christine | 1983 | AUT | 1:52.31 | 44.96 |
32 | 40 | 565278 | RABIC Urska | 1985 | SLO | 1:52.33 | 45.21 |
33 | 33 | 55970 | SCHMIDHOFER Nicole | 1989 | AUT | 1:52.39 | 45.96 |
34 | 42 | 538038 | MARSHALL Chelsea | 1986 | USA | 1:52.41 | 46.20 |
35 | 56 | 206035 | CHMELAR Fanny | 1985 | GER | 1:52.45 | 46.70 |
35 | 3 | 515348 | BORGHI Catherine | 1976 | SUI | 1:52.45 | 46.70 |
37 | 1 | 515244 | CASANOVA Carmen | 1980 | SUI | 1:52.48 | 47.07 |
38 | 39 | 296427 | SCHNARF Johanna | 1984 | ITA | 1:52.49 | 47.20 |
38 | 37 | 196726 | BARTHET Anne-Sophie | 1988 | FRA | 1:52.49 | 47.20 |
40 | 52 | 196412 | WEYRICH Clothilde | 1985 | FRA | 1:52.61 | 48.69 |
41 | 35 | 295136 | CECCARELLI Daniela | 1975 | ITA | 1:52.64 | 49.06 |
42 | 51 | 536884 | LUDLOW Libby | 1981 | USA | 1:52.69 | 49.68 |
43 | 31 | 155415 | ZAHROBSKA Sarka | 1985 | CZE | 1:52.78 | 50.80 |
44 | 49 | 537565 | KELLEHER Keely | 1984 | USA | 1:52.93 | 52.66 |
45 | 50 | 505632 | LINDELL-VIKARBY Jessica | 1984 | SWE | 1:52.98 | 53.28 |
46 | 34 | 106465 | LAWRENCE Sherry | 1984 | CAN | 1:53.00 | 53.53 |
47 | 7 | 55590 | SCHILD Marlies | 1981 | AUT | 1:53.01 | 53.66 |
48 | 58 | 505886 | KLING Kajsa | 1988 | SWE | 1:53.05 | 54.15 |
49 | 5 | 537582 | COOK Stacey | 1984 | USA | 1:53.26 | 56.76 |
50 | 47 | 375018 | COLETTI Alexandra | 1983 | MON | 1:53.66 | 61.73 |
51 | 55 | 195837 | MATTEL Magda | 1980 | FRA | 1:53.67 | 61.85 |
52 | 36 | 537626 | RICHARDSON Kaylin | 1984 | USA | 1:53.86 | 64.21 |
53 | 45 | 565261 | ROBNIK Petra | 1984 | SL O |
1:53.94 | 65.21 |
54 | 48 | 297070 | TEGLIA Eleonora Anna | 1987 | ITA | 1:54.20 | 68.44 |
55 | 41 | 296473 | SIORPAES Wendy | 1985 | ITA | 1:54.37 | 70.55 |
56 | 53 | 296763 | HOFER Larissa | 1986 | ITA | 1:54.80 | 75.89 |
57 | 59 | 495615 | MORLANS Leyre | 1987 | SPA | 1:58.38 | 120.36 |
Did not finish 1st run : POLESCHUK Danielle (CAN)
Disqualified 1st run : AUFDENBLATTEN Fraenzi (SUI)