Lindsey is Vonn-derful in winning World Cup title

ARE, Sweden — Perfect start, perfect ending for Lindsey Vonn.

She captured the overall title for the second straight year by winning the last downhill of the season Wednesday at the World Cup Finals. She is the first American woman to win two World Cup overall crowns.

Vonn won the season-opening downhill in early December at Lake Louise, Alberta, and finished in the points in the remaining five races.

"It's amazing," she said. "It's been a long season and it's been really difficult and challenging, but I'm really happy that it's over. Winning today and finishing out the season strongly means a lot to me."

Vonn completed the Olympia course in 1 minute, 42.49 seconds after posting the fastest splits all the way down. The course, designed by former Swiss downhill great Bernhard Russi, is one of Vonn's favorites. Two years ago, she won two silver medals in the downhill and super-G at the world championships.

Vonn already had clinched the downhill title for the second straight year, matching hero and friend Picabo Street's consecutive titles in 1995 and '96. She needed at least an eighth-place finish to clinch the overall.

"It's a really special moment in my life," she said. "I give my whole life for the sport and to be able to win something like this for a second time in a row, it means a lot to me. It's why I work hard, it's what I live for and it's special to have been able to put my own mark in the history books."

Maria Riesch of Germany was second, 0.40 behind, and also finished second overall. Austria's Renate Goetschl, a five-time winner at Are, was third, 1.26 back.

With three races left at the finals, Vonn leads the overall standings with 1,688 points. Riesch is second with 1,299 and Anja Paerson of Sweden third with 990.

A double gold medalist a last month's worlds, Vonn also has a chance to win the super-G title, trailing Fabienne Suter of Switzerland by 15 points. The last super-G is Thursday.

"It's going to be a fight, for sure," Vonn said. "But I'm only 15 points behind and I think that anything is possible," Vonn said.

With this season coming to a close, Vonn can start to look toward next year and the Vancouver Olympics. The 2006 Turin Games were most memorable for her frightening crash during a training run.

"I hope these Olympics will be my time and I'll be able to accomplish my childhood dream of winning an Olympic gold medal," Vonn said.