Saturday, December 8, 2012

Vonn wins World Cup Super-G race in Switzerland

Lindsey Vonn, right, of the United States, shouts in celebration after winning an alpine ski, women's World Cup super-G, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Saturday, Dec .8, 2012. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Lindsey Vonn, right, of the United States, shouts in celebration after winning an alpine ski, women's World Cup super-G, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Saturday, Dec .8, 2012. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Lindsey Vonn, right, of the United States, celebrates with her teammate third placed Julia Mancuso after winning an alpine ski, women's World Cup super-G, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Saturday, Dec .8, 2012. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

Lindsey Vonn, right, of the United States, speeds down the course on her way to win an alpine ski, women's World Cup super-G, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Saturday, Dec .8, 2012. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Lindsey Vonn, of the United States, speeds down the course on her way to win an alpine ski, women's World Cup super-G, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Saturday, Dec .8, 2012. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

Lindsey Vonn, of the United States, speeds down the course on her way to win an alpine ski, women's World Cup super-G, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Saturday, Dec .8, 2012. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

(AP) ? Lindsey Vonn won a World Cup Super-G on Saturday to stay unbeaten in four speed races this season, and American teammate Julia Mancuso finished third.

Vonn timed 1 minute, 2.71 seconds to beat World Cup overall leader Tina Maze by 0.37 seconds. Mancuso was 1.01 behind the winner.

"I'm struggling with my strength," Vonn said. "I came down with everything I have."

Maze's victory in the super-combined Friday put some pressure on Vonn, who was hospitalized last month with intestinal issues. Vonn scored 100 points Saturday to trail Maze by 167 for third place in the overall standings.

Vonn's 57th career World Cup win, the second-most in history, was her 20th in Super-G. She is the four-time defending champion in the event.

The 28-year-old American's celebration after crossing the finish line provoked some debate.

Vonn acknowledged she used a curse word in a release of emotion in taking the lead ? but had not directed it at Maze, as her coaches had alleged.

"They think I said something very bad about her when I came to the finish and that is absolutely not true," Vonn said. "I swore and I shouldn't have done that."

Vonn spoke after seeking out Maze, and said she had told her: "I hope you trust me enough to believe me."

"Apparently they don't. It definitely hurts," Vonn said. "I would never say anything bad about another athlete at the finish."

International Ski Federation spokeswoman Riikka Rakic told The Associated Press that the race jury studied footage of Vonn's post-race reactions and found nothing wrong.

Vonn said she had been disappointed with her skiing when failing to finish on Friday in the super-combined, which was won by Maze.

The American swept the three-race downhill and Super-G program last weekend at Lake Louise, Alberta. Vonn and Maze have combined to win seven of the nine World Cup events.

"Tina has had an amazing season so far. It's going to be a tough season," said Vonn, who has won the overall title in four of the past five years.

Earlier, Maze said the defending champion was "tough, but not impossible" to beat.

"I wanted to win, but Lindsey was better. It was fun to ski today," she said.

In the overall standings, Maze has a 163-point lead on 2011 champion Maria Hoefl-Riesch of Germany, who placed fifth Saturday.

Maze will be favored to add to her total Sunday in a giant slalom, which has traditionally been a weaker event for Vonn.

Mancuso followed up a second place in super-G last weekend, and ensured Vonn has been joined on the podium by a teammate in all four victories.

"I want to keep Lindsey on her toes in super-G," said Mancuso, who is fifth in the overall standings. "Right now, Lindsey and Tina are in a different league. You have to have a perfect run to win."

Skiers raced Saturday on a shortened course after a forecast of strong wind up the mountain.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-12-08-SKI-Women's-World-Cup/id-815362bbd7dc4905b74ad2c8a6e3851a

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