Vonn wins 4th Alpine overall crystal globe

By USSA

SCHLADMING, Austria — Lindsey Vonn of Vail hoisted her fourth Audi FIS Alpine overall crystal globe in five seasons Sunday to close the 2012 World Cup Finals in Schladming.

Vonn, who was three points short of the overall in 2011, also won the downhill, super G and combined titles for a historic 16 career globes and celebrated the all-time highest women’s point total with 1,980. Her American high 12 World Cup wins on the season pushed her career total to 53, putting her in the elite company with all-time record holder Annemarie Moser-Proell with 62 and Vreni Schneider’s 55.

“I am really happy with the season and it has gone incredibly well. If you had told me at the beginning of the season that I would be second in the giant slalom standings and would win the overall title before the finals, I would have said that is awesome, but not possible,” Vonn said. “It is definitely more than I expected. This year I have had a lot of fun. I have tried to enjoy every day that I am out on the hill and it’s wonderful to have my family and friends around to share this.”