American ski racer Lindsey Vonn, of Vail, Colo., signs autographs for Russian fans last week in Sochi, site of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. (photo: USSA)
World Cup

Unstable Snow Claims Sochi Super Combi as Vonn Secures Title

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Sochi, Russia – The Sochi organizing committee made every effort to prepare the 2014 Olympic speed track, but overnight snow and warm temperatures made the surface too unstable to host the third Audi FIS Alpine World Cup super combined on Sunday as scheduled.

“After the success we’ve had this week, we are really excited to get another chance to race on this hill, but the snow was just too soft to host a safe race,” explained Alex Hoedlmoser, head women’s coach for the U.S. Ski Team. “It was the right decision.”

American ski racer Lindsey Vonn, of Vail, Colo., signs autographs for Russian fans last week in Sochi, site of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. (photo: USSA)
American ski racer Lindsey Vonn, of Vail, Colo., signs autographs for Russian fans last week in Sochi, site of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. (photo: USSA)

“They did everything they could and they definitely made progress, but unfortunately it wasn’t safe enough to race,” added American ski racer Lindsey Vonn. “I’m really happy with the decision because safety is the most important thing.”

The race will not be rescheduled later in the season, therefore Vonn will be awarded the super combined title at World Cup Finals with a victory and a second in the two completed races.

It was the 14th World Cup title for Vonn, who clinched her fifth consecutive downhill title Saturday as part of a record breaking day that saw four U.S. women in the top 10. It was her third consecutive title in super combined.

“You never want to have a title clinched with a canceled race,” said Vonn. “I had it happen to me at the World Cup Finals last year with the overall globe and I’ve won a super combined title with a canceled race. It’s tough when you only have three races.”

The World Cup tour now flies to Moscow for a night parallel slalom at the Luzhniki 1980 Olympic Complex, where the race will be held on a special ramp constructed to 170 feet high and over 535 feet long. The top 15 World Cup athletes from each gender are eligible to compete. Vonn, Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley, Calif.) and Ted Ligety (Park City, Utah) will represent the U.S. Ski Team.

“Moscow should be fun, we’re going to have a big opening press event with Soelden and Oberburgl-Hochgurgl, our European Training Base, who’s also sponsoring the race,” said Vonn. “I’ve never been to Moscow before so I’m really excited to see the city. I’ve heard that this event is a lot of fun with tons of people watching so I’m really looking forward to it.”

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