BIOGRAPHY:
Known as the most successful female ski racer in American history, Lindsey Vonn is one of the few world-class, four-event ski racers. She is the only American woman to have captured downhill gold at the Olympics and the only American woman with three World Cup overall titles. Six weeks after she turned 20, Vonn (then Kildow) produced her first World Cup victory in Lake Louise, Alberta. She has since captured a U.S. record 41 World Cup wins, including a seven downhill victories in Lake Louise. In addition to her 2010 Olympic downhill gold and super G bronze, she holds five World Championship medals including two gold in 2009.
In 2011 Vonn produced one of the most thrilling comebacks in alpine history. After staring down a 216 point deficit in the overall standings to Maria Riesch just a month before the close of the season, Vonn stormed back to take the lead with two races remaining on the schedule. In the final women's slalom, Riesch nabbed the lead back by three points (and .01 seconds) and ultimately captured her first overall title when the final race of the season – a giant slalom – was canceled in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. For Vonn and ski racing fans, it was like losing game seven of the World Series.
Despite the overall disappointment, Vonn was able to defend her super combined, downhill and super G titles over three consecutive days in Tarvisio, Italy. She also produced some of the most spectacular runs in women's ski racing history with amazingly athletic saves throughout the season.
"Ninety-nine percent of all athletes – male or female – would have been in the nets," said speed Head Coach Chip White of one incredible save in Lake Louise which kept her on the podium with second. "It's a true testament to her athleticism and hard work."
She was also able to secure the first World Cup giant slalom podium of her career when it counted most at the end of the year. Vonn has now been on the World Cup podium in every discipline.
Known as the most successful female ski racer in American history, Lindsey Vonn is one of the few world-class, four-event ski racers. She is the only American woman to have captured downhill gold at the Olympics and the only American woman with three World Cup overall titles. Six weeks after she turned 20, Vonn (then Kildow) produced her first World Cup victory in Lake Louise, Alberta. She has since captured a U.S. record 41 World Cup wins, including a seven downhill victories in Lake Louise. In addition to her 2010 Olympic downhill gold and super G bronze, she holds five World Championship medals including two gold in 2009.
In 2011 Vonn produced one of the most thrilling comebacks in alpine history. After staring down a 216 point deficit in the overall standings to Maria Riesch just a month before the close of the season, Vonn stormed back to take the lead with two races remaining on the schedule. In the final women's slalom, Riesch nabbed the lead back by three points (and .01 seconds) and ultimately captured her first overall title when the final race of the season – a giant slalom – was canceled in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. For Vonn and ski racing fans, it was like losing game seven of the World Series.
Despite the overall disappointment, Vonn was able to defend her super combined, downhill and super G titles over three consecutive days in Tarvisio, Italy. She also produced some of the most spectacular runs in women's ski racing history with amazingly athletic saves throughout the season.
"Ninety-nine percent of all athletes – male or female – would have been in the nets," said speed Head Coach Chip White of one incredible save in Lake Louise which kept her on the podium with second. "It's a true testament to her athleticism and hard work."
She was also able to secure the first World Cup giant slalom podium of her career when it counted most at the end of the year. Vonn has now been on the World Cup podium in every discipline.
