Fenninger strikes again: Wins super-G in Bulgaria

BANSKO, Bulgaria (AP) With less than three weeks of competition left, Anna Fenninger is on a roll.

The Olympic champion from Austria overtook Lindsey Vonn in the super-G standings and closed in on Tina Maze at the top of the overall World Cup standings with back-to-back victories in Bulgaria.

The 25-year-old Fenninger won Monday's super-G in 1 minute, 14.59 seconds, beating Maze by 0.16 seconds. Vonn was third, 0.28 seconds behind.

The victories narrowed Maze's overall lead to 44 points, while also pushing Fenninger ahead of Vonn in the super-G discipline standings.

''I couldn't show my best skiing here because of the weather conditions but it's been great,'' Fenninger said. ''I've had a perfect two days.''

Although she gained ground ahead of the World Cup finish in Meribel, France, on March 22, Fenninger noted that Maze is set two compete in two slalom races that she's likely to skip.

''So you never know what will happen,'' the Austrian said. ''I have confidence ... and I'll try to keep going.''

Skiers raced under clear skies in the Pirin Mountains on Monday after fog forced two days of cancellations and upset some competitors on Sunday.

Despite the start-stop races, noisy fans filled the stands throughout the weekend, joined by the country's president, Rosen Plevneliev, who handed out prizes Monday with a broad grin.

Maze said she was happy to return to form after failing to finish in the three races prior to Bansko.

''I had three zeroes on my account,'' the Slovene said. ''It isn't easy because Anna is skiing fast. ... So I think I can be happy with my weekend.''

For Vonn, making the podium after returning to competition from prolonged injury was another good sign in her recovery.

''I'm definitely very happy with my comeback season. It's difficult being away from the sport for almost two seasons,'' Vonn said. ''I always believed I could make it back to the top. But I didn't know it would come so quickly.''

The women's World Cup resumes later this week in Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany.

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