Women's World Cup News

[Ski]

Three podiums in three days and the lead in the overall World Cup standings: this weekend's ski racing marked a milestone in the rise of Julia Mancuso. The 22-year-old American, who is strong in all the World Cup disciplines except slalom, is one of the brightest young talents in skiing.

 

She was 93 points behind overall World Cup leader Marlies Schild of Austria when she arrived in the little Italian resort of Tarvisio.

 

A second place in Friday's super-combined event, a win in Saturday's downhill and third place in the super-G on Sunday lifted her to the top of the standings, level on 1,199 points with downhill great Renate Goetschl.

 

Schild slipped back to fourth on 1,170 points, 13 points behind another Austrian, Nicole Hosp.

 

Mancuso's results have put her in a strong position to become the first American woman to take the overall title since Tamara McKinney in 1983 - an amazing achievement for a skier who had not even won a World Cup race until 11 weeks ago.

 

"You know, there are some people who turn up at the World Cup and win their first race but it took me a long time to get my first win," she said.

 

"Every year I got a little bit better but you have to be patient. Patience is the key. Maybe now my maturity is finally coming around."

 

Some have said that the American would not be in such a strong position if not for the absence of last year's champion Janica Kostelic, who is sitting out the season, and the erratic form of Anja Paerson, the champion for the previous two seasons, who is coming back from knee surgery.

 

Goetschl, however, was full of praise for Mancuso after winning Sunday's super-G.

 

"She's young and very talented and she is pushing, pushing, pushing in so many races," the Austrian said.

 

"She is also very strong -- not just physically but also mentally. That, I think, is one of her biggest strengths. She is very focused. I think she will have a lot of success in future."