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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 5:19 a.m., Sunday, March 1, 2009

Skiing: Lindsey Vonn wins super-G race

By DEREK GATOPOULOS
Associated Press Writer

BANSKO, Bulgaria — Lindsey Vonn of the United States won her fourth straight women's World Cup super-G race Sunday, increasing her lead in the overall standings to nearly 400 points.

The American won in 1 minute, 14.49 seconds, a day after clinching the downhill title. Fabienne Suter of Switzerland was second, 0.58 seconds behind, and Tina Maze of Slovenia was third, 0.91 back.

Vonn, who has 1,556 points, leads Maria Riesch of Germany by 391 points in the overall standings. Riesch finished tied for 13th Sunday.

"There is no conservative skiing for me," the 24-year-old Vonn said. "I have to be really aggressive — that's my strategy."

On Saturday, Vonn became only the second American after Picabo Street to win back-to-back downhill titles.

"I think all my disciplines are better this year," Vonn said. "Super-G has been the best season in my life, above and beyond what I expected this year."

Vonn has been skiing with her thumb in a splint since she cut it open on a champagne bottle while celebrating after winning at gold medal at the world championships in Val d'Isere, France, last month.

"It's definitely very painful when I'm starting and also in slalom," Vonn said. "I think it also affects my balance.

"I was able to win today. I'm happy that it's not holding me back too much," she added. "I know I'm losing time out of my start but I'm being more aggressive and taking more chances in my skiing because I know I've already lost that time."

Vonn edged Maze in the final stages of the race on the arduous Banderiza course. With the win, Vonn also closed within 15 points of Suter in the super-G standings.

Earlier this month, Vonn won her 19th World Cup race to top Tamara McKinney for the U.S. women's record. On Saturday, however, she finished only 12th in the downhill.

"She took that anger she had from yesterday and put it down the hill," U.S. speed coach Alex Hoedlmoser said. "What she's doing right now is pretty amazing."