Vonn Honored by International Journalists

SOELDEN, AUT (Oct. 22) - Two time World Cup overall champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) stood before a room of over 150 international journalists Thursday night in Soelden to accept the "Skieur d'Or 2009," or "Golden Ski," an award given annually by the International Association of Ski Journalists.

By winning the award, Vonn became the first American since Phil Mahre over 25 years ago and just the 10th women since 1963 to be elected. Ballot voting for the award closed Thursday for the award, which is also known as the Serge Lang Trophy named after long-time AIJS president and founder of the World Cup.

"I'm really honored to receive this award," Vonn said. "Journalists are an important part of telling the story of our sport. So, to receive an award like this from the International Association of Ski Journalists makes it even more meaningful."

The downhill and super G World Champion, accompanied by her husband Thomas, took time to do interviews with the press following the event, which was held two nights before the World Cup season opener in Austria.

To win, Vonn trumped 2008 winner Aksel Lund Svindal from Norway. Several other skiers like Didier Cuche, Carlo Janka, Daniel Albrecht and Hermann Maier also received votes from journalists from around the globe.

Vonn, who has been racing since 2001 on the World Cup tour, earned the trophy after her spectacular past season during which she celebrated a total of nine World Cup wins in four disciplines and set a new U.S. women's career record with 22 World Cup victories.

"Lindsey, Aksel Lund and all the other skiers proposed this year by our colleagues are not only great athletes but also role models in their way to approach and practice their sport and we are very happy that a women of her caliber will receive that award this year at Soelden," said Patrick Lang, Vice-President of the AIJS and son of founder Serge Lang. "She is also a very graceful person with a nice smile for all her fans."

"There are not many women in the history of our sport who have been tougher and more demanding with themselves than Lindsey Vonn, who is truly an international star appreciated in all ski countries," Lang continued. "The fact that she also dedicated much time learning to speak German in order to communicate with her numerous fans in Europe and the German-speaking reporters is another example of her permanent search for perfection and her professionalism. We all wish her another successful season and as much fun as possible on the slopes and in her private life."

Indeed, in earlier press conferences with Head skis and U.S. Ski Team partner Audi, as well as her AIJS award, Vonn spoke perfect German - much to the delight of the Austrian media and fans.

Now, Vonn's sights are set on the season's first World Cup competition - a giant slalom in Soelden, Austria. Watch live Saturday and Sunday on UniversalSports.com or catch it at 10 a.m. ET on Universal Sports TV. Check local listings.

Tags: Lindsey Vonn, U.S. Ski and Snowboard