Lindsey Kildow (Vail, CO) stormed down the speed run at Lake Louise for another podium Sunday, finishing third in a World Cup super G. Three other U.S. skiers broke into the top 20 behind Michaela Dorfmeister of Austria, who collected the 17th win of her career.

Dorfmeister won in 1:16.24 with teammate Renate Goetschl second at 1:16.39. Kildow, who won a downhill Friday and was fifth Saturday in a second DH, was timed in 1:16.64 while Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) broke into the top-10, finishing in a tie for ninth.

Other top U.S. skiers included Kirsten Clark (Raymond, ME) - continuing her comeback from knee surgery - in 11th place and Libby Ludlow (Bellevue, WA), rebounding from a crash Friday, in 17th place. Bryna McCarty (Concord, VT) was 21st.

"My goal for today was to get into the top five and I did think for a moment I might have the win, but third is great, especially since my best result last year [in SG] was sixth, and that didn't come until the last two races of the season. ...and finished sixth and 12th, so this is great, " Kildow said.

Once known as a solid glider, Kildow has tightened her technical racing, as well, training more giant slalom to help boost her performance in high-speed turns. "I've been skiing more GS because I think it helps my super G. This summer, I went to Chile with the team for the first time - we were there [Chillan and then Portillo] three weeks in August - and I developed a lot more technical skills. I started skiing better than I ever had before."

She said her Lake Louise results give her a greater confidence as the women's tour heads to Europe for the next three months, including the World Championships in Bormio, Italy, starting Jan. 29. "The main thing is to keep my head cool," she said, "and I think I did that pretty well this weekend, especially after having my first win. I just need to keep relaxed and focused.

"I'm excited for next weekend [a super G and slalom in Altenmarkt, Austria] because I have 400 points and that's gigantic, so I'll get to start 31st, which is great."

Head Coach Patrick Riml added, "We're going to Europe wearing smiles. Lindsey did a spectacular job, just awesome...and the other girls are skiing so well, too. I'm very happy with what I've been seeing... "Obviously, Lindsey had an outstanding weekend. She skied well last year - she had the speed but now she has the consistency, too," Riml said. "She's cleaned things up and she's charging every race."

One of the most encouraging things Riml saw, he said, was the way the U.S. women attacked through flat light and light but steady snow in the super G. "Julia made a mistake off the last jump on the final straightaway or she'd be even higher, and the others pushed, too," he said. He was particularly pleased to see Ludlow rebound from a nasty crash Thursday in the downhill which Kildow won. "She's a fighter and to have Libby not just come back but return with a top-20 is excellent," according to Riml.

The North American swing for the women's schedule - in Aspen, Colo., and Lake Louise - is over for the season. The women head to Altenmarkt, Austria, for a super G Saturday and GS Sunday.

WOMEN'S ALPINE WORLD CUP
Lake Louise Winterstart
Lake Louise, ALB - Dec. 5, 2004
Women's super G

1. Michaela Dorfmeister, Austria, 1:16.24
2. Renate Goetschl, Austria, 1:16.39
3. Lindsey Kildow, Vail, Colo., 1:16.64
4. Hilde Gerg, Germany, 1:16.70
5. Janica Kostelic, Croatia, 1:16.81

9T. Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, Calif., 1:17.34
11. Kirsten Clark, Raymond, Maine, 1:17.36
17. Libby Ludlow, Bellevue, Wash., 1:17.73
21. Bryna McCarty, Concord, Vt., 1:17.92
51. Kavlin Richardson, Edina, Minn., 1:19.53

Did not finish:
Caroline Lalive, Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Jonna Mendes, Heavenly, Calif.

— Courtesy of US Ski Team