German Riesch wins Italy women's downhill

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Americans placed second and third behind Germany's Maria Riesch in Saturday's women's World Cup downhill at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Julia Mancuso took second and teammate Lindsey Vonn finished third behind the German star, who covered the famed Tofana race course in 1 minute, 39:30 seconds.

It was the 10th podium finish for Vonn at the Italian venue and the seventh for Mancuso. "I like it because it's fast the whole way down, especially this year it was really good snow conditions and race day was sunny," Mancuso said. "It allowed for pretty good speed the whole way down.

Mancuso called Saturday's course a "charge fest" that required pedal-to-the-metal skiing without a lot of finesse. Vonn narrowly avoided a high-speed crash and was able to stay on her skis.

Riesch's win kept her atop the overall World Cup points standings, although she trails Vonn in downhill points.

The racing at Cortina d'Ampezzo concludes Sunday with the super G.