Despite injury, Lindsey Vonn wins World Cup downhill title

A fractured tibia forced Lindsey Vonn to miss the final World Cup races this winter, but could not stop her from collecting another season title.

Vonn flew into St. Moritz, Switzerland, on Wednesday to accept the Crystal Globe for the downhill, marking the 20th World Cup championship of her storied career.

“Even though I had to end my season early, it means a lot to me,” she said. “I worked so hard.”

Vonn built an insurmountable lead in the downhill standings with five victories before hurting her left leg on Feb. 27. The injury cost her a shot at another overall title.

“I’m so proud of what I have done and happy that I was able to come back here and accept my Globe,” she said.

Lara Gut secured the overall championship last week, becoming the first Swiss woman to accomplish the feat in more than two decades. Austrian star Marcel Hirscher clinched a record fifth-straight overall title for the men when his nearest competitor decided to skip the downhill in St. Moritz.

Also on Wednesday, U.S. skier Steven Nyman finished second in the downhill to complete the World Cup schedule with four consecutive podiums.

“I’m really fired up and ready to carry that momentum into next season,” Nyman said. “I just learned a lot this year.”