Lindsey Vonn wins downhill gold medal

As other top skiers crashed around her, Vail’s Lindsey Vonn on Wednesday survived to become the first U.S. female Olympic downhill gold medal champion. (Pics)

Her childhood rival and American teammate Julia Mancuso took a surprise silver medal.

After Vonn’s run — after she survived a final jump that had already caused Swiss skier Dominique Gisin and Swedish standout Anja Paerson to crash — Vonn celebrated at the finish.

Vonn’s bruised right shin proved not to be a hindrance as she sped down Franz’s Downhill in 1 minute, 44.19 seconds.

Mancuso finished 0.56 seconds behind, and Elisabeth Goergl of Austria took the bronze medal, 1.46 seconds back.

Maria Riesch of Germany, Vonn’s usual rival of late and best friend, finished eighth.

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Via Denver Post