Vonn is now the most successful female American World Cup skier

American Lindsey Vonn retained her women's World Cup downhill title on Saturday despite a modest 12th-place finish at Bansko in Bulgaria.

Vonn, who is World Super-G champion and leads the overall World Cup standings, was assured of the title when closest rival Dominique Gisin only came ninth.

Andrea Fischbacher won the event in a time of one minute 45.81 seconds.

Vonn's compatriot Ted Ligety earned his first win of the season in the giant slalom at Kranjska Gora.

It was the second year running that he had won at the Slovenian venue.

Vonn was in pain after crashing in practice and has also been struggling with a hand injury after cutting her hand on a champagne bottle, but battled on to emulate the achievement of Picabo Street, the only other American to win the downhill title twice.

"It's so cool to join Picabo as the only American to win the downhill title twice," she said.

"It really doesn't seem like all that long ago when I met her at a poster signing in Minnesota and since then I've always looked up to her."

Maria Riesch, Vonn's main rival for the overall title, finished eighth but with Vonn leading the German by 336 points, she remains in a commanding position.

Sweden's Anja Paerson, who lies third in the overall standings, failed to finish a race for the third time in succession after withdrawing early on clutching her knee.

Britain's Chemmy Alcott came 25th.

Ligety was thrilled to break his duck for the year at the venue where he also enjoyed success last year.

"It's a fantastic hill, I like it here," he said.

"My coach set the second run and it was just how I like it, you know I like those big sweeping turns. I had a couple of bobbles along the way, but I'm really happy."

Women's downhill standings:

1 L Vonn (US) 402 points
2 D Gisin (Swi) 291
3 A Fischbacher (Aut) 281

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