Lara Gut wins downhill, Vonn hits fence

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VAL D'ISERE, France, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Lara Gut of Switzerland won Friday's World Cup women's downhill in France after American Lindsey Vonn took a spill on her run.

Gut notched her first win in the downhill in a time of 1 minute, 19.75 seconds, just 0.16 seconds ahead of U.S. skier Leanne Smith, who reached the podium for the first time in her young World Cup career.

"Today was my day," said Smith, one of four U.S. finishers in the top 10. "I skied as hard as I could."

Nadja Kamer of Switzerland came in third in 1:20.25 and Slovenia's Tina Maze, the overall points leader, placed 12th.

Vonn skied off the wind-shortened course at Val d'Isere under her own power after a scary wipeout early in her run. Vonn lost her footing on a turn and wound up in the safety netting.

U.S. coach Alex Hoedelmoeser said he expected Vonn, who leads the World Cup downhill standings, to be recovered in time for Sunday's super-G event.

"She hit the fence hard so she's going to be sore, but in general she's OK," he said. "We'll see how she's feeling tomorrow but I expect her to race."