After collecting gold in the 2009 FIS World Championship super G last week, Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) stormed to another win in Monday's downhill at Val d'Isere and was crowned the official queen of speed. Vonn clocked a 1:30.31 on the steep and technical course, while Swiss youngster Lara Gut was second, .52 seconds behind. It was the first U.S. women's downhill title since Hilary Lindh won in 1997.
"I was hoping in these World Championships to win one gold medal. To win two is so unbelievable," Vonn said. "I skied with my heart. It was an incredible day for me. I work so hard and I live for a day like today."
The World Championship downhill was no exception as fresh snow in Val d'Isere delayed the women's start, originally scheduled for Sunday. In addition to the overtly challenging technical components of the hill, which Vonn called the most demanding on the women's circuit, the delay added another mental hurdle for racers to overcome. On Sunday, Women's Head Coach Jim Tracy said the woman with the toughest mind would win the race.
"It was a tough day for me. I was really nervous. We've had two days off and I've been thinking about being disqualified in the super combined, but really getting excited about the downhill," Vonn said. "I was nervous in the start but my husband was there and he got me calmed down and in the right mood for attacking. And that's what I did."
Vonn and her husband Thomas, who was also a World Cup racer for the U.S., are a special team in the ski racing world, as he travels along with her to help manage her time, equipment and in cases like Monday, to help Vonn through the mental challenges of racing.
"She was nervous, she specifically asked me to be in the start with her and she's never done that before. I tried to keep my cool and keep her level, take away the hype of the race," he said.
Striking the right balance of mental calm and furor, Vonn also held a slightly higher line from start to finish and perfectly executed the big carousel turns at key points in the race to win over Gut, who held the early lead for 15 racers. Prior to the race, Vonn knew she had a good feeling on her skis and was concentrating during training on executing her line to a tee.
"I fought the whole way down and I nailed the bottom section where it was really important to carry speed," she said.
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Vonn Wins DH to Sweep Speed
Vonn Wins DH to Sweep Speed
