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ALTENMARKT-ZAUCHENSEE, Austria (AP) — Lindsey Vonn prepared for a record-equaling 36th women's World Cup downhill victory by posting the fastest time in final training on Friday.
The four-time overall champion from the United States stood up out of her tuck well before finishing, leading Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany by 0.28 seconds.
Tina Weirather of Liechtenstein, who led Thursday's training, was 0.59 behind in third, and overall World Cup leader Lara Gut of Switzerland trailed by 0.80 in fourth.
"I was still a bit tired from the jet leg this morning but I was relaxed at the start and had a good run," said Vonn, who returned to Europe two days ago after spending a week with family and friends in the United States.
"I can do better, like staying in my tuck until the finish," she said. "But I am ready."
By winning on Saturday, Vonn would match Austrian great Annemarie Moser-Proell's record of 36 downhill victories. That feat, however, doesn't put nearly as much pressure on Vonn as did chasing Moser-Proell's overall best mark of 62 wins last year.
"This year is definitely easier," Vonn said. "I just try to win as many races as I can, and I don't think about titles and records now."
Having won two downhills this season, Vonn shares the lead in the discipline standings with Switzerland's Fabienne Suter, who is out injured. In the overall standings, Vonn trails Gut by 158 points.
In an unusual format for a downhill, Saturday's race will consist of two runs on a shortened course. Only the top 30 from the first run will be allowed to start in the second. It's the first such format on the women's World Cup circuit in 14 years.
This weekend's races were moved from St. Anton 12 days ago, leaving local organizers just over a week to create course conditions that match World Cup standards. They had to lower the start because of insufficient snow quality in the upper section.
A super-G on the same course is scheduled for Sunday.
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