Lake Louise (AB), Canada – A still ailing Lindsey Vonn showed no ill effects from her recent hospitalization on Friday as she stormed to a 1.73-second downhill victory in foggy Lake Louise. The podium was stacked with Americans as teammate Stacey Cook  finished second to climb atop the first Audi FIS Alpine World Cup podium of her career. Maria Hoefl-Reisch of Germany and Liechtenstein’s Tina Weirather tied for third.

“I felt like I had to win today. When you say you want to race with the men, you can’t really not win the women’s races,” said Vonn. “I was trying to prove a point today, mostly to myself, but also to everyone else who doesn’t think that I could compete with the fastest guys.”

It was the 12th Lake Louise victory (10 in downhill and two in super G) and fifth straight for Vonn, who hit 83 mph on the men’s Olympic track. Vonn now sits one win behind retired Swiss racer Vreni Schneider for second on the women’s all time World Cup wins list. On Friday she showed no sign of the recent intestinal illness that left her hospitalized and away from an extended period of training.

“This gives me confidence. The only thing I’m concerned about right now is my energy level,” Vonn explained. “I’m just trying to make sure that I can compete throughout the entire weekend. After missing the training run yesterday I was a little unsure of myself, but once I got in the starting gate, that all went away.”

Cook, meanwhile, finally landed on the World Cup podium with her second place finish. Her previous best finish was fourth in the 2006 Lake Louise downhill.

“My whole career has been a lot of ups and downs, but all those downs are completely worth it after today,” said an elated Cook. “I couldn’t ask for better company on the podium.”

“I’m so proud of Stacey. She’s had the ability to be a podium skier for so long,” added Vonn. “She really deserved to be there today.”

The weather-plagued race was held multiple times as fog drifted in and out on the course. Other American results included Julia Mancuso in eighth and Laurenne Ross 11th as the U.S. women’s downhill team placed four in the top 15.

The home squad endured a frustrating afternoon in the fog as Larisa Yurkiw, of Owen Sound, Ontario, produced the home team’s best in 44^th place. She was the day’s last racer out of the gate after spending several hours waiting in the start hut as weather conditions caused delay after delay. The fog lifted briefly, offering favorable conditions to a handful of racers.

“The light came in and out and it’s like a lottery that way, but that feels like an excuse,” said Yurkiw. “People said, ‘Great job, you must be happy that you got your start at Lake Louise out of the way,’ – you know, because it’s been a while. But I know that I skied well this summer so for me to come in 44^th – it’s just so far from what I’m capable of and that will drive me tomorrow (in the second downhill race).”

One positive for Yurkiw – who is coming back from a long-term injury layoff – was a top-30 finish for her buddy and training partner Chemmy Alcott of Great Britain. Alcott, who is also returning from a serious injury, was 25^th. The Canadian ladies’ speed team trains with several nations including Great Britain and Sweden.

“I’m really happy for Chemmy and proud of her. I feel good that we trained together all summer and that she got some points today,” Yurkiw said. “I mean, it’s hard. Everyone is so supportive and screaming like I won something and I definitely didn’t even come close to meeting my goal, so that’s really disappointing. But Chemmy told me to put a brave face on so I’ll put my brave face on.”

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Audi FIS Alpine World Cup
Lake Louise (AB), Canada – Nov. 30, 2012
Women’s Downhill