truebluefan

Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) is still star struck from her experience as an ESPY nominee for Best Female Athlete. And even though she was there for the taping on July 16, she said Sunday's airing of the show was just as funny.

Vonn's nomination is the result of one of the greatest seasons for an American woman in U.S. Ski Team history. With five downhill wins Vonn became only the second American, male or female, to win the World Cup downhill title. The downhiller also landed podium finishes in super combined and super G to clinch the World Cup overall title, becoming the first woman to win the World Cup overall since Tamara McKinney in 1983.

The Best Female Athlete honor marked the first time a skier has been given a nod for the highest female award. Also nominated in the category were Indy Racing League driver Danica Patrick, LPGA Tour golfer Lorena Ochoa and WNBA basketball star Candice Parker. Though Parker won the award, Vonn says the nomination was a victory.

"The entire experience is pretty insane. I thought that I was going to be nominated for one of the smaller categories, but it was so awesome to be nominated for the main category," said Vonn. "It's huge step in the right direction. Pretty much the entire ESPYs were basketball and football and if ski racers continue to do well, we can keep getting into main stream society."

The ESPY experience also lived up to all the hype as the biggest names in sports gathered with the biggest names in Hollywood. Highlights for Vonn included meeting former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, tennis great Venus Williams and NFL star Terrell Owens.

"I was pretty star struck the entire time, but it was amazing how approachable everyone is. I hung out with Samuel L. Jackson, Carmello Anthony, Matt Leinart and TO now has my phone number if he ever wants to go skiing, oh and Sergei Federov is the man.

"The Red Carpet was also a big highlight. I walked in behind the most famous Victoria Secret model, so the camera guys were going crazy. The World Cup is crazy but it has nothing on that scene," she said.

And with Hollywood, comes gift bags - huge ones. Vonn's VIP package included everything from Broadway tickets to luxury hotel stays and numerous gift certificates for high-end companies.

"We were given the Richard Petty Driving Experience, VIP passes to the rock concert of our choice, but I personally enjoyed all the make-up. Honestly, I'm stocked up for a very long time with everything a girl could ever need."

ESPN had a special crew follow Vonn around pre and post ESPYs with the footage airing in the post show on Monday, July 21. "They showed me meeting Favre, Venus and TO, so I have proof," she joked.

Fellow snowsport nominees included U.S. Snowboarding's Gretchen Bleiler (Aspen, CO) and Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT). The pair of Olympic silver medalists where up for Best Female Action Sports Athlete with Bleiler taking home the honor. On the men's side, Olympic gold medalist Shaun White (Carlsbad, CA) walked away with the Best Male Action Sports Athlete, beating out fellow rider Kevin Pearce (Norwich, VT) for the award.

__________________
NCAA Div I basketball, Preseason NIT, Legends Classic, Puerto Rico Tip-Off, U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, Maui Invitational, Chicago Challenge Invite, Great Alaska Shootout, Anaheim Classic, Global Sports Classic,South Padre Island Tournament.
D League Basketball
King Of The Cage: Anticipation Nov 26
Paul Williams vs Verno Phillips Nov 29
Thanksgiving Day Football