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Strong Opener for Women's Speed

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
December, 5 2014

LAKE LOUISE, AB (Dec. 5) - Laurenne Ross (Bend, OR) led a solid effort by the U.S. Ski Team's women's speed squad that saw four athletes in the top nine, including Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO). It was the strongest U.S. women's downhill team performance in two seasons. Tina Maze of Slovenia took the win with Ross fourth, Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley, CA) seventh, Vonn eighth and Stacey Cook (Mammoth Mountain, CA) ninth. Ross missed the podium by just .03. The women race a second downhill Saturday, with super G on Sunday.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Laurenne Ross was fourth to lead four U.S. women into the top nine as the Audi FIS Ski World Cup downhill season opened in Lake Louise. Ross started fourth and held the lead until Austria's Anna Fenninger knocked her off the top spot. It was Ross' best World Cup finish in two seasons.
  • Julia Mancuso was seventh, Lindsey Vonn eighth and Stacey Cook ninth.
  • It was the first time the U.S. women have punched four athletes into the top ten in two seasons.
  • It was the first World Cup for Vonn in nearly a year. Her comeback a year ago was cut short by a re-injured knee forcing a second surgery. Vonn felt strong in training all week and was satisifed with her start.
  • Jackie Wiles and Alice McKennis were also in the points, finishing 21st and 28th. It was also McKennis' first race back from knee surgery.
  • The women race another downhill on Saturday, super G Sunday. Universal Sports Network will provide live coverage Sunday beginning at 2:30 p.m. EST.

QUOTES
Lindsey Vonn
I think I skied really well on the technical parts. I definitely could clean up some turns for tomorrow, but I think it was a really solid start. I'm happy with it. I felt good out there. There was some soft snow on the track because it was snowing today, but I think in general everything held up pretty well and I'm just hoping to push it a little bit more tomorrow.

Laurenne Ross 
I didn’t really expect anything out of today but it does feel good to know that I can come down and be right in there with the best girls. There was a little layer of new snow, but all in all, the course was really smooth. Tomorrow I am just going ski as hard as I can and as fast as I can and try and nail the line and be in a good position. I know that results will come. 

RESULTS
Official Results 
 

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