Lake Louise (AB), Canada – Success is no stranger to the U.S. Ski Team speed women at Lake Louise. In fact, Lindsey Vonn has won here so many times on this track it’s been deemed “Lake Lindsay.” For good reason, seeing as though she’s snagged 15 victories in Lake Louise – by far the most by a single skier at a specific venue – 12 in downhill and three in super G. Count ‘em.
Last year, in her comeback race, Vonn led a historic American podium sweep with Stacey Cook in second and Julia Mancuso in third. Although Mancuso isn’t racing this year, it’s very possible that the seasoned team could sweep the podium again, and it’s definitely not unheard of for them to stack the top 15.
This year’s track boasts some new terrain that took some getting used to for the women. It didn’t seem to take too long for Vonn, who posted the 34th fastest time on Wednesday and the second fastest time in Thursday’s training run. “I just had a different approach today,” Vonn said of Thursday’s placing. “I changed some things in my line that [Wednesday] didn’t really pan out for me. But I was happy with my skiing. I definitely can clean up a few sections for tomorrow but in general it was a pretty solid run and I’m just looking forward to my first speed race of the season.”
Though Cook may have felt the nerves on Wednesday, Thursday was a new day, and she wasn’t far behind Vonn in third. “It’s different than the classic downhill that normally is here,” said Cook. “I have to make the adjustments. That in itself is a challenge and keeps it entertaining because we’ve run the old course so many times we could go with our eyes closed. Now we have to focus a little bit more. Lindsey skied that terrain really well today, so obviously it hasn’t changed that much. She’s still unbeatable here.”
In the second day of training, Austria’s Miriam Puchner was the fastest woman, with Vonn .12 behind and Cook close behind in third. The American contingency was strong in day two of training, with Laurenne Ross tied for ninth, Alice McKennis in 12th, Jackie Wiles in 15th and Audi FIS Ski World Cup newcomer Breezy Johnson landing in 28th.
Vonn also announced on Thursday that teammate Wiles will be named as the first-ever athlete ambassador for The Lindsey Vonn Foundation. “We’re really excited today to announce that I’m sponsoring Jackie through the Lindsey Vonn Foundation,” stated Vonn. “It’s actually me personally that’s sponsoring her but she’s going to be the newest ambassador for the foundation. I’m really proud of her. She’s done an amazing job in her career so far. She’s really young, talented, has a great attitude, so I think she’s a great ambassador for my foundation.”
Lake Louise will host two downhill races and cap the speed week off with super G on Sunday. This year, all eyes will be on Colorado’s Mikaela Shiffrin, who will be making her speed debut as she competes in Sunday’s super G. “I’m going to be attacking as much as I can,” Shiffrin said at her victory press conference in Aspen. “I am really excited to see what World Cup speed is all about. I’ll try to learn as much as I can from the other U.S. girls and from Lindsey and our coaches. I’m really excited. I like super G a lot, so I’ll be going for it. I just don’t know exactly where that will put me.”
TV COVERAGE
2015 Broadcast and Live Streaming Schedule (times EST)
Friday, Dec. 4
2:30 p.m. – Women’s DH, Lake Louise – NBC Live Extra – LIVE STREAM
8:30 p.m. – Women’s DH, Lake Louise, Universal HD
Saturday, Dec. 5
2:30 p.m. – Women’s DH, Lake Louise – NBC Live Extra – LIVE STREAM
8:30 p.m. – Women’s DH, Lake Louise, Universal HD
Sunday, Dec. 6
1:00 p.m. – Women’s SG, Lake Louise – NBC Live Extra – LIVE STREAM
8:30 p.m. – Women’s SG, Lake Louise, Universal HD