By USSA

The weather finally lifted in Bansko, after a weekend of delays and cancellations due to heavy fog. In a sun-drenched, technically set super G, Lindsey Vonn grabbed third place on March 2. Podium regulars Anna Fenninger of Austria and Tina Maze of Slovenia went one-two —identical results to Sunday’s alpine combined.

After a tough alpine combined for skiers on Sunday, the Italian coach set a demanding super G on Monday. The race, rescheduled from Friday’s cancellation, tripped up many speed skiers, but the best were able to pull out brilliant runs on the tricky track. The surface, which was not good during Sunday’s race, hardened up overnight — perfect for a super G.

Running 20, Vonn was a bit unstable on top — almost horizontal on the snow at one point in the top section — but worked to close the half-second gap in the middle of the course. She found that extra gear and skied into third place, 0.28 off of Fenninger’s winning run.

“I’m happy with my run today,” said Vonn. “I made some mistakes on the top part, but I skied well on the bottom and made up some time so I’m really happy.”

Fenninger absolutely tore up the course. She even lost the grip on her pole on top and put on a show of high-speed multitasking. It didn’t seem to matter, as she skied down in front of Tina Maze by 0.16, which she didn’t lose for the rest of the race. This win put her in the lead of the World Cup super G standings, taking it from Vonn.

“Anna Fenninger is obviously skiing very well, but Garmisch is a hill I know very well,” warns Vonn, who wants the super G title. “I just have to have another good race, and hopefully at the finals as well.”

Vonn had a tough day in Sunday’s alpine combined, fighting fog and inconsistent snow to a 24th finish in the super G. She did not start the slalom. “After a bad day comes a good day,” laughed Vonn.

Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley), Stacey Cook (Mammoth Mountain) and Laurenne Ross (Bend, Ore) all skied into the points at Bankso. Mancuso grabbed 16 place, Cook was 21 and Ross 22.

Rounding out the American women, Alice McKennis (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) was 47 and Abby Ghent (Eagle, Colo.) was 48. Jackie Wiles did not finish.