Lindsey Vonn wins super-G, takes over World Cup points lead

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American Lindsey Vonn captured her seventh victory of the season today, winning a World Cup super-G event in Italy’s Dolomite Alps.

Vonn, who is among the gold medal favorites in the downhill and super-G at next month’s Winter Olympic Games, was pleased with the run and is looking forward to competing in Vancouver, Canada.

‘Speed keeps me happy,’ she said. ‘Hopefully I can keep my confidence up and get one medal. Nothing is guaranteed in life -- ever -- and at the Olympics too, so I have to ski hard.’

Vonn completed the Olympia delle Tofane course in 1 minute, 21.74 seconds, more than half a second faster than second place Fabienne Suter of Switzerland. Sweden’s Anja Paerson was third.

The victory snapped Vonn’s three-race pointless streak, giving her a 56-point lead over German rival and friend Maria Riesch in the World Cup point standings with 13 races left. Vonn is on pace to break her season-best mark of nine race victories.

Vonn is favored to win Saturday’s downhill, but she’ll face another technical test in Sunday’s giant slalom.

‘She’s just relaxing and skiing the way you’re supposed to ski and the rest of us are probably trying a bit too much,’ Paerson said.

American Julia Mancuso nearly lost control on her run and finished 33rd. Mancuso is leading an effort to raise money for Haiti earthquake victims by having skiers donate their autographed bibs to an online auction. More information about the auction will become available soon.

You can watch video from the event here.

-- Austin Knoblauch

The Associated Press contributed to this report.