Back in Cortina, Vonn has more records within reach

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) When it comes to records and milestones, Cortina d'Ampezzo holds a special place in Lindsey Vonn's sparkling career.

The resort known as the Queen of the Dolomites was where the skier then known as Lindsey Kildow recorded her first podium result 12 years ago at the age of 19.

Last year in Cortina, Vonn broke Annemarie Moser-Proell's 35-year-old record of 62 World Cup wins across all disciplines

So it's fitting that Vonn could break another of Moser-Proell's records in Saturday's downhill on the Olympia delle Tofane course. The American needs one more victory to break a tie of 36 downhill wins with the Austrian great and hold the mark by herself in skiing's marquee event.

''I've had so many great memories here,'' Vonn said after leading Friday's final training session. ''It's fun to be back here and I hope to make some more memories this year as well.''

Vonn was surprised when then-boyfriend Tiger Woods showed up wearing a mask during last year's victory celebration. Having since split with the golfer, she's not expecting any more masked visitors.

''No,'' Vonn said with a big laugh. ''Not that I know of.''

Actually, with only one downhill on the schedule this weekend, Vonn isn't even sure she'll get the record here.

''But I feel like right now I'm skiing really well in downhill so if I don't do it this weekend then hopefully I'll do it in the next downhill,'' she said, alluding to the next downhill race in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, in two weeks.

With one more win in Cortina - in either downhill or super-G - Vonn can also match Renate Goetschl's mark of 10 wins in the resort - although she's still only halfway to her mark of 18 victories in Lake Louise, Alberta.

''She's very comfortable with the hill. She knows it well and can ski it fast,'' U.S. head coach Paul Kristofic said. ''It's still one of the more challenging downhills on the women's circuit, so it requires full attention and good focus. So I wouldn't say she's on autopilot but she's very focused on doing a good job.''

In the overall standings, Vonn trails Swiss rival Lara Gut by 50 points.

Gut was 1.80 second behind Vonn in 13th place in Friday's training, after finishing second to the American in the opening session.

''At the end of the day, it's a race against the clock and everyone has to do their own race,'' Gut said. ''So I'm just trying to do my best and not look at the others.''

Another potential challenger to Vonn is Cornelia Huetter of Austria, who is seeking her first victory after three podium results in downhill this season.

''Her advantage is she's skiing really smooth and soft. Sometimes I ski a little too aggressive,'' Huetter said. ''So I have to find the mix between smooth and aggressive and maybe I'm going to be faster and faster maybe than Lindsey.''

While Vonn won a giant slalom in Are, Sweden, last month, she suggested she may drop that event next season and focus more on the speed events.

''I could go home in between races if I didn't do GS,'' Vonn said. ''It's less training and less stress. I could sleep in more.''

---

Andrew Dampf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/asdampf