Austria's Nicole Hosp missed a golden opportunity. It made Lindsey Vonn's decision to stay home and do her laundry a good one—a decision that could give her a bounce.
Two-time U.S. Olympian Vonn, 23, of Vail and Hosp were tied for the overall 2007-08 Audi FIS Women's World Cup lead going into Friday's night slalom before thousands of alpine fans at Zagreb, Croatia.
It looked like an ideal chance for Hosp to pick up 80 to 100 points on speed ace Vonn, since Hosp had won two slaloms and was the leader of the World Cup slalom standings.
U.S. Ski Team coaches and athletes had decided to skip the single slalom in Zagreb to get a break at home. Vonn was content to give up a potential 100 points to Hosp so she could rest at home and do "lots of laundry," the ski team said.
What happened Friday night was Hosp skied off the upper part of the course and failed to finish her second run, leaving her tied with Vonn.
They each have 983 points after 28 of the 39 races. Finland's Tanja Poutiainen clocked the fastest second run to slip past Austria's Marlies Schild for first place in the slalom. And Schild (540) knocked Hosp (465) out of the lead in the slalom standings.
All in all, it was a tough night for Hosp.
Now the World Cup women head to Whistler Mountain north of Vancouver, B.C., Canada for downhill and slalom Feb. 21-23 on the 2010 Winter Olympic courses. The men also go to Whistler Mountain for super giant slalom and giant slalom Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23-24.
Still to come: Men's DH/SG March 1-3 at Kvitfjell, Norway and women's GS/SL March 1-3 at Zweisel, Germ.; men's GS/SL March 8-9 at Kranjska Gora, Slovenia and women's DH/combined March 8-9 at Crans Montana, Switz.; and the World Cup Big Finals (all disciplines) March 12-16 at Bormio, Italy,
After seven DHs Vonn is the overwhelming World Cup downhill leader 575-323 over defending champion Renate Goetschl of Austria. Last winter Goetschl (705) was a big winner in downhill, with American's Julia Mancuso (536) second in DH and Vonn (390) third.
The last U.S. skier to win a World Cup downhill crown was Picabo Street in 1996. And Vonn's best-ever World Cup downhill finish prior to this winter was second place to 2006 Olympic DH queen Michaela Dorfmeister of Austria in 2005-06. Dorfmeister had 498 to Vonn's 410.
Although the Austrians, Swiss and Germans normally dominate World Cup downhill racing, especially when the events are staged on European hills, the North American racers led by Vonn are turning that historical logic on its head this year.
Through 14 men's and women's downhills, North American racers have won nine times—seven victories achieved by Americans Bode Miller (2 wins), Marco Sullivan (1 win) and Vonn (4 victories). The Austrians and Swiss have a total of three wins, all by the men.
In contrast, in 20 downhills last winter the Europeans won 12 times and the U.S. captured seven victories.
But Vonn has a good shot for the overall title as well. And so does Bode Miller.
World Cup overall leader Bode Miller, 30, of New Hampshire maintained his World Cup overall lead after 30 races with 1067 points, 93 ahead of last year's overall runner-up and 2006 World Cup overall king Benjamin Raich of Austria (974).
Current men's and women's leaders and top Americans are listed:
Men's overall: 1—Bode Miller (Team America) 1067. 2—Benjamin Raich (Aust.) 974 points. 3—Didier Cuche (Switz.) 882. 8—Ted Ligety (U.S.) 612.
Men's downhill: 1—Didier Cuche 464. 2—Bode Miller 399. 3—Michael Walchhofer (Aust.) 343. 4—Marco Sullivan (U.S.) 278.
Men's slalom: 1—Jean-Baptiste Grange (Fra.) 462. 2—Mario Matt (Aust.) 405. 3—Manfred Moelgg (Italy) 391. 10—Ted Ligety 238.
Men's giant slalom: 1—Daniel Albrecht (Switz.) 258. 2—Benjamin Raich 248. 4—Ted Ligety 235.
Men's super giant slalom: 1—Didier Cuche (Switz.) 244. 2—Benjamin Raich 197. 10—Bode Miller 109.
Men's combined: 1—Bode Miller 410. 2—Ivica Kostelic (Cro.) 256. 7—Ted Ligety 131.
Women's overall: 1 (tie)—Lindsey Vonn (U.S.) and Nicole Hosp (Aust.) 983 points. 3—Maria Riesch (Germ.) 881. 6—Julia Mancuso 750.
Women's downhill: 1—Lindsey Vonn 575. 2—Renate Goetschl (Aust.) 323. 3—Britt Janyk (Can.) 300. 11—Julia Mancuso 172.
Women's slalom: 1—Marlies Schild (Aust.) 540. 2—Nicole Hosp 465. 14—Resi Stiegler (U.S.) 111.
Women's giant slalom: 1—Denise Karbon (Italy) 560. 4—Julia Mancuso 253. 15—Lindsey Vonn 104.
Women's super giant slalom: 1—Maria Riesch (Germ.) 334. 2—Elisabeth Goergl (Aust.) 281. 7—Julia Mancuso 202. 9—Lindsey Vonn 198.
Women's combined: 1—Lindsey Vonn 100. 2—Maria Riesch 80. 3—Julia Mancuso 60.
Lindsey Vonn nearly lifts off the ground en route to a 16th place finish in a World Cup super giant slalom Feb. 10 at Sestriere, Italy. With that finish she tied Austria?s Nicole Hosp for the World Cup overall leadership?and that tie continues into this weekend?s races at Whistler, B.C. Canada. Photo by Alberto Pizzoli-AFP/Getty Images
