LAKE LOUISE, Alberta — Austrians Anna Fenninger and Mirjam Puchner were fastest Thursday, and Lindsey Vonn was 13th in the final training run for the World Cup season-opening women’s downhill.
Fenninger was timed in 1 minute, 50.29 seconds, and Puchner finished in 1:50.69. Americans Stacey Cook, Julia Mancuso and Laurenne Ross took the next three spots, respectively.
Vonn’s last World Cup race was last December in Val d’Isere, France, where the U.S. star failed to finish a downhill.
The 2010 Olympic downhill gold medalist posted on her Facebook her first run was “SO much fun!!!!” then added another post when her day on the mountain was over.
“Well today was the last official downhill training run and tomorrow is finally my first race. It’s been a very long road to get to this point but it has all been worth it. No matter what my result tomorrow or even this season, I’m back to doing what I love and I wouldn’t trade that for the world. Wish me luck. Xo LV.”
The first two women’s downhills of the World Cup season are Friday and Saturday followed by Sunday’s super-G.
