Vonn targets Stenmark's globe record

American speed queen Lindsey Vonn is one of the most competitive racers in skiing history and her hard-nosed edge is certain to rise to the surface at the World Cup finals that start in Meribel on Wednesday.
Rebounding from serious knee surgery that required a second visit under the knife, Vonn came back this season to break Austrian Anne-Marie Moser-Proell's record of World Cup victories that had stood since 1980.
After topping the podium in the Garmisch super-G, the American's tally now stands at 65, three better than Moser-Proell.
On top of that coveted record, she has also won 17 crystal globes, given to racers who finish top of either the overall World Cup standings or rankings for the individual disciplines, come the end of a season.
She currently leads the standings in both the downhill and super-G, with Austrian starlet Anna Fenninger close on her tail, at 35 and eight points respectively.
Should Vonn claim the two globes, it would give her 19 career season titles, matching the record held by Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark, who also holds the overall record for victories with 86.
It would also tie Moser-Proell's women's record of seven globes in one discipline, the downhill, while Vonn has won six straight downhill globes from 2008-13.
"To be back in this position at the finals is pretty damn good," said Vonn, who showed how seriously she is taking the Meribel finals by skipping technical events in Are, Sweden, last weekend to come and train at the French resort.
"I rested up because I didn't need three or four days of testing, with all the tiredness that brings," she said.
"I feel in top form to give the maximum. It was easier for me to stay here to get ready rather than go to Are - I'm not skiing very well in giant slalom so it would have helped nothing going there.
"I've got two solid training runs under my belt and tomorrow is the big day. Can't wait to fight for..." she tweeted Tuesday.
"Course looks good here in Meribel. There's a lot on this line this week. Going to give it all I have. Fingers crossed."
In comments to French media, Vonn added: "The goal is to win the two globes. I'm happy with the way my season has gone, even if I've had some highs and lows.
"I've remained quite regular throughout and that's not bad after two years of injury."
Indeed, Vonn has won six times on the circuit this season: "I'm very happy with my results."
The American, whose partner is golfer Tiger Woods, joked that she had enough storage space for two more globes.
"I have room for 23. I hope I can fill it up at some point," said Vonn, who was fastest in downhill training runs on Monday and Tuesday.
Source: AFP