ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP. LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland – On the ladies side, the race toward the 2011 World Cup overall title was about as close as it gets between Maria Riesch and Lindsey Vonn, but after finishing second to Vonn the last two years and third in 2008, this season, the big globe goes to the 26-year-old German.

Maria Riesch of Germany poses after winning the Overall World Cup on March 19, 2011 in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. (March 18, 2011 - Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom/Getty Images Europe)

Riesch, who also has also won four discipline globes in her career – slalom in 2009 and 2010, super G and super-combined in 2008, won this year’s overall title with 1478 points, including 16 podiums, six victories and two world championship bronze medals.

Maria Riesch of Germany celebrates winning the Overall World Cup on March 19, 2011 in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. (March 18, 2011 - Photo by Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom/Getty Images Europe)

“I was fighting all season in every race and this is a dream come true for me,” Riesch said on Saturday before collecting her hardware. “I was so excited for the race today and when it was canceled, the tension went out and I realized I won the overall title and I was just really happy.”

Maria Riesch of Germany celebrates winning the Overall World Cup on March 19, 2011 in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. (March 18, 2011 - Photo by Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom/Getty Images Europe)

Saturday’s final ladies World Cup giant slalom race in Lenzerheide was canceled due to soft snow conditions after warm overnight temperatures. The mountain was also shrouded in thick fog all day. It is the fourth race on the ladies tour to be canceled without replacement due to weather this season. The slalom and GS races in Maribor were canceled and so was the downhill race in Sestriere.

Lindsey Vonn was not speaking to the media on Saturday and U.S. Team representatives said she was disappointed about the race cancelation and her final chance to defend the title that she won in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

When asked how the World Cup season could be run differently to improve the chances of final races – and in this case, the final fight for the overall title – taking place without weather interference, Riesch said she thought ending the season in February might be a good idea.

“At the Finals, it’s the same every year, they are too late in the season,” she said. “They should do more races in November and December – maybe more races in the U.S. and Canada – and stop the season at the end of February. In March you often have conditions like this.”

Then again, it is winter and weather is a big element in the trickiness of the sport.

“It’s ski racing. There are races canceled sometimes,” Riesch said. “Of course it’s hard when it’s the very last race, but it is the points that are counting all season. Although it’s just three points this time … I am the winner.”

FISalpine.com
Saturday 19 March 2011

Maria Riesch of Germany celebrates winning the Overall World Cup on March 19, 2011 in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. (March 18, 2011 - Photo by Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom/Getty Images Europe)