Janka, Vonn clinch World Cup titles with race wins (Roundup)

By Michael Becker Mar 12, 2010, 12:32 GMT

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany - Carlo Janka won the alpine skiing World Cup title for the first time in his career on Friday while Lindsey Vonn clinched a third straight women's crown.

Janka became the first Swiss in 18 years to lift the big crystal trophy when he dominated the day's giant slalom. Vonn also wrapped up the campaign in winning fashion, in the super-g race.

Neither can be caught in the final slalom races on Saturday on the slopes for the 2011 world championships.

The world and Olympic giant slalom champion Janka, 23, took Friday's race with a combined total 2 minutes 20.87 seconds. Davide Simoncelli was second in 2:21.18 while joint third place in 2:21.44 went to American Ted Ligety and Austria's Philipp Schoerghofer.

Benjamin Raich of Austria managed no better than eighth which allowed Janka to win the overall trophy ahead of Saturday's finale.

'I am quite surprised, it's almost a little early (in the career),' said Janka, who is known as the 'iceman' on the circuit as he rarely shows emotions.

'It was a perfect season for me ... I wasn't consistent all season but it worked out in the end. I am very proud.'

Janka won six World Cup races, most famously all three in Beaver Creek within 48 hours in December, and the famous Wengen downhill. In addition, he won the Olympic giant slalom ahead of the World Cup title.

'Carlo was sensational,' said Raich. 'I just didn't win enough races, so I have to be satisfied with second place.'

Janka has 1,197 points to Raich's 1,091, with Swiss veteran Didier Cuche third on 952. Ligety won the giant slalom trophy for the second time in his career (the first being 2008) with 412 points ahead of Janka (341) and Raich (331).

Vonn, 25, meanwhile, dominated the women's super-g in 1:19.30. Elisabeth Goergl of Austria was second in 1:19.46 and Swiss Nadia Styger third in 1:19.87. Vonn's last World Cup title rival Maria Riesch of Germany came fourth in 1:19.89.

Vonn is only the third woman to win the World Cup three times in a row, joining Austrians Annemarie Moser-Proell (five successive wins 1971-1975) and Petra Kronberger (1990-1992).

The American also won the downhill, super-g and super-combined trophies. Her 33rd career win on Friday makes her the best American skier as she now has one win more than men's skier Bode Miller.

'This was the perfect ending. I had so much pressure, but this title feels even better than the first one,' said Vonn.

'I wanted to win this race. I wanted the American record.'

The two-time Olympic champion Riesch said she was 'glad that it (the World Cup race) is finally over. Lindsey won too many races. I will try again next season.'

Vonn ruled the speed events this season, winning six of eight downhills plus the Olympic race, and four out of seven super-g events, plus Olympic bronze.

However, the season was also marred by injuries ranging from a bruised shin ahead of the Olympics, a broken finger at the Vancouver Games and a bruised knee from a giant slalom crash on Thursday.

'My whole body aches. I had so many injuries because I fought so hard,' she said. 'Now I am glad that I don't have to ski for a few months.'

Vonn tops the overall standings with 1,671 points. Riesch has 1,456 and Sweden's Anja Paerson 1,047 with only Saturday's slalom left. Vonn won the super-g list with a final tally of 620 points from Goergl (300) and Styger (291).