Once again this winter no one seems to have been faster down the slopes in women's skiing than Rolex Testimonee Lindsey Vonn. Nevertheless, the American is not on top of the World Cup standings; her friend Maria Riesch is just in front of her. There is a reason for this: Vonn is always fast but not always flawless. This has nothing to do with her impressive skiing abilities, but more to do with concentration. Victories can make you tired, especially mentally.

Lindsey Vonn, Photo by Rolex

It is nonetheless a reflection of the American's extraordinary skills that she managed to finish second, for instance, in the Super-G at Zauchensee despite making a mistake. Another example of her great talent was on display at the Downhill race at Cortina where she managed to avoid crashing despite an error and went on to secure third place.

The one area of concern for the American has become the Slalom. After taking a sixth and an eighth place at the start of the season there were four subsequent races where she did not finish. "I've been trying hard and training well in the Slalom," says Vonn. "The good fortune just hasn't come my way yet. Or I've just had a run of bad luck."

Vonn has only been able to demonstrate her outstanding class in the speed disciplines, such as at the first Super-G at Cortina d'Ampezzo. The Italian winter resort in the heart of the Dolomite Alps is a special place for Lindsey Vonn. It was there at a Downhill race in 2004 that she won her first World Cup race. "Ever since then I've always been glad to come to Cortina," the American says. "I've got a big spot in my heart for this place."

Vonn won the Super-G on Friday in Cortina, took third in the Downhill on Saturday and won a second Super-G held on Sunday. In that race she was five-hundredths of a second ahead of Maria Riesch. Vonn has been on the podium in Cortina d'Ampezzo eleven times since 2004, a run that includes five victories.

There is little doubt that Vonn is among the favourites in the speed disciplines at the forthcoming Alpine World Championships. The title battles will take place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany from 7 to 20 February.

Rolex and skiing  - a story of passion dating back to 1968, when French skier Jean-Claude Killy became a Rolex Testimonee after his triple medal win at the Olympic Games. The association that developed between the brand and this exceptional athlete has gone from strength to strength.

For a long time, the Olympic medallist was the only - but so emblematic - link between the brand and skiing, embodying, through his enthusiastic hard work and ceaseless quest for perfection, cardinal values that are also those of Rolex. Now, another legend in alpine skiing, Austrian Hermann Maier, has taken up the torch. A Testimonee since 2007 with an impressive number of victories to his name, he is also a champion who perfectly exemplifies the spirit of Rolex.

Determination, precision and perseverance - qualities that, for Rolex, constitute fundamental principles and which are essential for a top skier. The links between the brand and skiing are not due to chance. By its association with this elite sport, whose ideals it shares, Rolex asserts its attachment to a philosophy in which performance means excellence. It is not surprising, therefore, that the brand supports the most widely known leg of the Alpine Skiing World Cup: the Hahnenkamm Races in Kitzbühel, Austria. Captivated by this event marking the high point of the ski season, Rolex became its Official Timekeeper in 2007. More than a sponsor, Rolex is a true partner, contributing year after year to the prestige of the competition.

Since 2010, three new rising stars in alpine skiing - Switzerland's Lara Gut and Carlo Janka together with American Lindsey Vonn - perpetuate in turn the relationship that began in 1968 between Rolex and skiing. The brand, which has chosen them as Testimonees, is with them at every turn as they collect honours in races around the world. More than ever, Rolex celebrates skiing and the sport's greatest talents.

Hahnenkamm News
January 28, 2011