Mancuso, Vonn share World Cup super G podium

By USSA

CRANS MONTANA, Switzerland — Olympic Champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) and Olympic silver medalist Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) left their mark on Switzerland, going 2-3 in an Audi FIS World Cup super G on Sunday. Switzerland’s Dominique Gisin won the race, marking the third World Cup win of her career.

The women racing in Switzerland had to face off against random gusts of strong wind that plagued the race in the Swiss Alps. According to Women’s Alpine Head Coach Jim Tracy, had it not been for the conditions Vonn could have shaved even more time off her run.

With the finish, Vonn now has a 245 point lead over Austria’s Maria Riesch in the race for the World Cup overall title with only the four events of World Cup Finals left.

Vonn had already clinched the Audi FIS World Cup super G title before the Olympics.

The day marked the first time Mancuso has appeared on the podium of a World Cup in two years. According to her, it’s good to have the momentum from the Olympics to carry her through the season.

“It was nice. I’ve been skiing well since the Olympics, so it’s nice to go and do it in the World Cup, especially in super G. I’m just psyched to be able to put everything together in one run,” Mancuso said.

Tracy couldn’t have been happier to see Mancuso finish so strongly.

“This was great. I think it was a great result for her. It was so great to see her podium. It’s a great way to end the regular World Cup season,” Tracy said.

Now, with the team heading to Garmisch for World Cup finals March 9-14, Mancuso is hoping to seal up a few more podiums before the season’s end.

“Skiing is going well and I think the snow conditions in Garmisch will be good for me too, it’s a little more spring-like. I’m looking to finish the season with podiums,” Mancuso said. “I just want to go out there and ski, and I’m feeling really good about my skiing so it makes a big difference just standing in the start gate and enjoying the whole process of it.”

The women qualifying for the U.S. at World Cup Finals will be Vonn, Mancuso, Alice McKennis (Glenwood Springs, CO), Stacy Cook (Mammoth Mountain. CO) and Sarah Schleper (Vail, CO). Vonn and Mancuso can race all disciplines, Cook and McKennis will race downhill and Schleper will compete in the giant slalom and slalom.

Crans Montana, Switzerland Women’s Super G

1. Dominique Gisin, Switzerland, 1:24.14

2. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 1:24.29

3. Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, CA, 1:24.52

4. Nadia Styger, Switzerland, 1:24.56

5. Ingrid Jacquemod, France, 1:24.74

–

31. Stacey Cook, Mammoth Mountain, CA, 1:26.12

32. Leanne Smith, Conway, NH, 1:26.20

33. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 1:26.24

37. Chelsea Marshall, Pittsfield, VT, 1:26.61

# # #