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**truebluefan** · 03-20-2008, 02:22 PM

BORMIO, Italy (March 16) - The 2008 Audi FIS Alpine World Cup came to a close Sunday with the cancellation of the team event due to rain and fog and the awarding of the World Cup overall champion crystal globes to Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) and Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH).

Fog moved in over Bormio, Italy, which made for little to no visibility in addition to the rain causing poor skiing conditions.

Vonn and Miller's historic acceptance of the men's and women's World Cup overall champion globes marked the first time since 1983 that the U.S. took both of the titles.

U.S. athletes now head to the Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships, which open next weekend in Sugarloaf, ME.

**truebluefan** · 03-20-2008, 02:24 PM

BORMIO, Italy (March 16) - The Audi FIS Alpine World Cup has a different flag flying this year - the red, white and blue. For the first time in history, three Americans have claimed five of the 12 crystal globes. Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) and Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH) took the overall titles, with Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) taking the giant slalom crown, Vonn the downhill and Miller the super combined.

It's a benchmark that could have a strong impact on the fast-paced sport of alpine ski racing as young American racers see their heroes reaching the pinnacle of the sport.

"What America was able to do this season is incredible," said Vonn. "We made history. That's something I could have never imagined and the feeling is just amazing."

Turning the world upside down
"We're turning the world upside down in alpine ski racing," said U.S. Alpine Director Jesse Hunt. "To have two Americans win the overall, it's a special deal. And it's by a number of different athletes. What it says is that we're here to stay and dominate alpine ski racing."

There have been titles, including Miller's 2004 GS crown and 2005 overall. And Tamara McKinney and Phil Mahre doubled up as overall champs in 1983. But nothing compares to 2008.

"It's a historic day," said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association President and CEO Bill Marolt. "We've never had this kind of result in the history of the program.

"When you put together plans and you think of creating a great Team, these are the things you plan for," said Marolt. "You don't always achieve it. But when you do, there's a special sense of accomplishment."

Hero inspires Vonn to achieve dream
Champions and heroes are a key to success in sport. Just look at the Lindsey Vonn story. As a young racer at the Twin Cities' Buck Hill, the then Lindsey Kildow watched as Picabo Street won the World Cup downhill title in 1995. And that became her life goal. And she headed to the mountains and Ski Club Vail to chase her dream.

"It's Lindsey's story, it's Ted's story. They experienced having the dream and pursuing that dream," said Hunt.

"I've always dreamed of winning the globe and an Olympic gold," said Vonn. "It's those dreams that keep me motivated to ski and it's just so much bigger that I've achieved one of those goals with Ted and Bode also winning titles.

"But so much of what I was able to do is because of the people who have helped me this season - my coaches, the U.S. Ski Team staff, my sponsors and teammates. There's so much that I could never have done without all this support."

Young Ligety upends seasoned veteran
Ligety, meanwhile, came out of the chute fast in October with a second in Soelden. "He started out establishing himself as one of the favorites," said Hunt. "But it was tough going against a veteran like Benni [Raich] who knows what he has to do. Ted was just the young guy coming in upsetting the experience veteran.

"It's a testament to his focus. He's an amazing athlete."

Ligety grew up in a ski racing town, Park City, watching his heroes at America's Opening World Cup. In the summer he attended Park City's Winter School to keep his winters free for ski racing.

"Watching Lindsey this year totally dominating everyone in downhill and winning the overall is super cool," said Ligety. "I'm psyched to win the GS title, but what I did pales in comparison to what she was able to achieve. It's amazing what the U.S. was able to achieve and I'm psyched to be a part of it."

"You could see this year, through his consistency and ability to handle pressure, that now he'll be able to branch out to other events and challenge for the overall," said Men's Head Coach Phil McNichol, who has worked with Ted for over a decade. "And he's got a great team behind him with Sully [Marco Sullivan], Steven [Nyman], Jimmy [Cochran] and the others."

Team applauds Miller's dedication and success
Miller had a good opener in Soelden (finishing 5th in a GS), but was off the pace in the opening speed events. But by mid-December he was back on the podium, getting his first win later that month in a downhill in Bormio. And then he went on a tear in January, setting the stage for his overall title.

"Bode has just been so dedicated," said Hunt. "He's been working super hard and it showed. His focus has been great. He's skiing tactically and strategically. He has a lot to be proud of and my hat's off to Bode. It's a testament to his determination."

"Bode was great," said Ligety. "Watching him come through the second part of the year after everyone was counting him out was amazing."

"The entire season we've celebrated his success," said Marolt. "We knew he was capable and we applaud it. He came up through the USSA system and is very much a part of what we do. We're all proud of what he's accomplished."

"We made history!" says Vonn
Hunt was excited about the ripple effect the World Cup titles could have on ski racing in America. "It's exciting, as a kid, to see a nation have success - to see an individual reach the top. It gives the sport a lot of credibility and will motivate these young athletes.

"It's a long road and to be able to have that dream, that's the key component. When our athletes are at the top of the world, those dreams seems more real. The first thing you have to achieve is to believe. We're getting the American kids to believe."

"The U.S. Ski Team has such a great group right now," said Ligety. "The staff is great and my teammates are awesome. The only way for us to succeed is to have fun and we all have such a great time."

As Vonn said, they made history. And Vonn and Ligety are happy to be in the dreams of future champions.

**truebluefan** · 03-20-2008, 02:27 PM

BORMIO, Italy (March 15) - Reinfried Herbst of Austria pulled out all the stops Saturday to win the World Cup Finals slalom. Manfred Moelgg of Italy finished sixth, securing the overall slalom title ahead of Jean-Baptiste Grange of France by only 19 points. Grange finished 16th in the race, just outside the range where he would have earned World Cup points and secured the title for himself.

Daniel Albrecht of Switzerland finished second in the race and Marcel Hirscher of Austria was third.

Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, NH), who clinched the World Cup overall title did not compete. Ted Ligety (Park City, UT), who won the men's giant slalom World Cup title a day earlier straddled a gate in the first run, and teammate Jimmy Cochran (Keene, NH), who finisher 18th in the first round, did not finish the second run. There was heavy attrition on the first run with over a third of the 29-skier start list going out.

The drama between Moelgg and Grange was similar to that of the men's super G when Austrian Hannes Reichelt upset Swiss Didier Cuche for the title. Grange, who had been fourth after the first run and was easily protecting his World Cup lead, made a big mistake near the finish to drop out of contention. Moelgg, the first run leader, didn't hold the lead but tied for sixth - enough points to take the title in front of his Italian fans.

Ligety was the top American in the slalom standings, finishing ninth.

The race marks the end of men's World Cup Finals individual events in Bormio. Competition wraps up with a team event Sunday, featuring four to six athletes from each team. Seven teams are entered. The U.S. is not planning to compete. "We're disappointed to not take part, but we're fighting a lot of late season injuries and we realistically don't have enough healthy bodies," said Alpine Director Jesse Hunt.

U.S. athletes now head to the Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships, which open next weekend in Sugarloaf, ME.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Audi FIS Alpine World Cup
Bormio, Italy - March 14, 2008
Men's Slalom

1. Reinfried Herbst, Austria, 1:51.31
2. Daniel Albrecht, Switzerland, 1:51.63
3. Marcel Hirscher, Austria, 1:51.65
4. Mitja Dragsic, Slovenia, 1:51.77
5. Benjamin Raich, Austria, 1:51.81
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Did not finish first run - Ted Ligety, Park City, UT
Did not finish second run - Jimmy Cochran, Keene, NH
Did not start - Bode Miller, Bretton Woods, NH

**truebluefan** · 03-20-2008, 02:28 PM

BORMIO, Italy (March 14) - Newly crowned champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), in the final race of the World Cup season, moved from 12th after the first run to finish seventh in Saturday's giant slalom in Bormio. Austria's Elisabeth Goergl picked up the win. Italian Denise Karbon had already clinched the title with a dominating season.

Goergl won in 2:24.96, .07 ahead of Italy's Manuela Moelgg. Vonn was .71 back from the winner.

In what is becoming Lindsey Vonn style, the champion had the second fastest second run to land her second best career GS finish. She had been sixth in Ofterschwang, Germany in January.

Vonn was very pleased with her performance, and with the fact that she could relax now that racing was over and enjoy the fruits of her labors. "I still had a race today and had my game face on," she said. "But now I'm going to get down and relax, and think about the season and enjoy it. And I think it will be a little emotional for me tonight when we take pictures with the globe."

The week in Bormio had a special significance for Vonn, who came away from the 2005 World Championships in Bormio/Santa Caterina with a pair of near misses. "The first time I was here was not a happy time for me," she said, reflecting. "To come back here this week and turn everything around, and just finish out the season strong in every event, has been incredible."

While her best event, downhill, was cancelled, Vonn took advantage of the others to have season best or near best finishes in super G (second), slalom (11th) and giant slalom (7th).

There were no titles at stake in the GS finale, with Karbon having locked up the title earlier after a sensational season winning five of seven races. Karbon finished eighth, the first time she was not on a GS podium this season.

Vonn was also quizzed on her hairstyling, having cut Ted Ligety's long locks into a mullet after his title on Friday. "I think it turned out well for the look he was going for," she said laughing. "It's funny! He's a character, and I had a fun time cutting his hair. He probably won't ever ask me to do it again."

She also reflected on the American who came before her 25 years ago, Tamara McKinney. "Tamara was a great champion and it was really an honor to get to talk to her after the season." Vonn hadn't even been born when McKinney and Phil Mahre shared overall titles that year. Mahre and McKinney combined to win four globes (overall and giant slaloms) that year. This time around, it was three U.S. athletes winning five titles.

The race marks the end of the World Cup Finals individual events in Bormio. Competition wraps up with a team event Sunday, featuring four to six athletes from each team. Seven teams are entered. The U.S. is not planning to compete. "We're disappointed to not take part, but we're fighting a lot of late season injuries and we realistically don't have enough healthy bodies," said Alpine Director Jesse Hunt.

Vonn will now head to the Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships which open next weekend in Sugarloaf, ME.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Audi FIS Alpine World Cup
Bormio, Italy - March 14, 2008
Women's Giant Slalom

1. Elisabeth Goergl, Austria, 2:24.96
2. Manuela Moelgg, Italy, 2:25.03
3. Kathrin Zettel, Austria, 2:24.26
4. Ingrid Jacquemod, France, 2:25.28
5. Tanja Poutiainen, Finland, 2:25.35
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7. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 2:25.67

Did not finish first run:
Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, CA

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