The U.S. Olympic Committee on Friday named a pair of Colorado skiers as its male and female athletes of the year.
Alpine racer Lindsey Vonn of Vail and nordic combined skier Todd Lodwick of Steamboat Springs were chosen as America’s best Olympic athletes for 2009. The field of candidates came from winter and summer sports, a fact that wasn’t lost on Lodwick when he realized he beat out the likes of swimmer Michael Phelps.
“My condolences to you, Michael,” Lodwick joked.
Vonn and Lodwick won two gold medals each at their respective world championships last winter. Vonn won the downhill and super-G at Val d’Isère, France. Lodwick won the mass start and normal hill events in Liberec, Czech Republic.
Vonn is the third skier to win the women’s USOC award, following Tamara McKinney (1983) and Picabo Street (1995, 1998). Moguls skier Jonny Moseley had been the only skier to win the men’s award (1998).
“It’s a huge honor,” Vonn said. “To be honored is great not only for me, but for the sport of alpine skiing. I’m very honored and happy.”
Vonn won her second World Cup overall title in 2009, unprecedented for a U.S. female racer, and leads the standings this season.
“Colorado is known for its skiing and its skiing heritage,” Lodwick said. “To have two people come out of Colorado and get this honor is truly humbling.”
Vonn is the reigning star of skiing’s most glamorous discipline, alpine racing, and is getting lots of attention in the run-up to the Vancouver Olympics. Lodwick toils in a discipline with a far dimmer spotlight, but nordic combined is starting to attract more attention, and Lodwick has Vonn’s respect.
“That’s awesome,” Vonn said when told of Lodwick’s honor. “That’s cool. He’s been a great competitor, and he’s been having a lot of success lately. Two Colorado athletes, that’s pretty awesome.”
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
