Goergl ends ailing Vonn's streak

Bad Kleinkirchheim, Austria — Elisabeth Goergl of Austria ended Lindsey Vonn's four-race unbeaten streak in speed events by winning a World Cup downhill on Saturday.

Goergl, who also beat Vonn to take the world downhill title last year, went down the 2.85-km Kaernten-Franz Klammer course in 1 minute, 48.40 seconds. Julia Mancuso of the United States was second, 0.16 back, and Fabienne Suter of Switzerland was third.

Vonn, who was bothered by a stomach ailment this week, finished fourth and maintained the lead in the downhill and overall World Cup standings. She almost skied out at the second gate and finished 0.55 behind Goergl. Vonn had won both previous downhills and both super-G races this season.

It was only the third time in all 20 World Cup downhills since March 2009 that Vonn finished outside the top three.

"It was a rough start. I didn't have the balance," said Vonn, who spent most of the day before the race in bed. "I have been sick since Zagreb (last Tuesday) and I have not been able to eat anything, so I don't have energy and I don't have strength."

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Success on slopes takes Vonn's mind off troubles

BEAVER CREEK, Colorado — Lindsey Vonn remains on top of her game despite the turmoil in her life.

She dominated at Lake Louise last weekend, winning two World Cup downhills and a super-G by a combined margin of 3.82 seconds — a landslide in skiing.

Her success comes in the midst of divorce proceedings from her husband of four years, Thomas Vonn, who also served as her adviser and personal coach.

But if the tumult is affecting her, Vonn certainly isn't showing it on the slopes.

Now, the Olympic gold medalist returns to the comfort of home as she races in a rescheduled super-G on Wednesday at Beaver Creek. The Birds of Prey course is just five minutes from her place in Vail.

"I really would love to win at home, so I'm going to look at the video and make sure in Beaver Creek that I clean some turns up and make sure I'm skiing a little more aggressive than I skied (Sunday)," Vonn said.

That performance is going to be difficult to top. She crushed it in Lake Louise, winning her 11th race on that hill. So commanding has Vonn been at the venue that it's now kiddingly become known as Lake Lindsey.

With her three-day sweep, Vonn now has 45 career wins, leaving her one behind Austria's Renate Goetschl for third on the career list.

"This whole weekend I had a huge smile on my face," Vonn said.

A reprieve from what has been going on away from the slopes.

Vonn announced her split Nov. 27, the same day she withdrew from a slalom in Aspen. She cited a back injury during training.

Many wondered how she would fare without Thomas Vonn, who had become a rock in her life. He made sure she wasn't overextending herself with appearances and interviews, helped with logistics and kept everything running smooth so Vonn could keep her focus on speeding down the mountain.

A network of family, friends, coaches, teammates and even competitors has now stepped in and supported her through a difficult time.

She also has this — the slopes.

Skiing has always been her sanctuary, a place where she can retreat and forget about whatever is troubling her for a little while.

"It's where I go to be myself and to really enjoy life," Vonn said. "Up in Lake Louise, it was perfect timing for me to go up there to do what I love and ski fast. I just was focused. It took my mind off everything else.

"This whole season is going to be a great chance for me to look at myself from a different perspective and to really learn more about myself. Skiing is just my happy place."

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