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Vonn to miss World Cup slalom opener in Finland

The Associated Press
Aspen, CO Colorado
FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 file photo, Lindsey Vonn, of the U.S., clears a gate during the first run of an alpine ski, women's World Cup giant slalom, in Soelden, Austria. Vonn's request to compete in a men's World Cup downhill race has been rejected by the International Ski Federation. The FIS council met Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, in Oberhofen, Switzerland, and "confirmed that one gender is not entitled to participate in races of the other," adding in a statement that "exceptions will not be made to the FIS Rules." (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati, File)
AP | AP

STOCKHOLM – Lindsey Vonn will skip the first World Cup slalom of the season in Finland this weekend, choosing instead to prepare for home races in Aspen, Colo.

U.S. Ski Team spokesman Doug Haney says Vonn “has had an incredible preparation period” so far, but will focus on the only U.S. stop on the women’s circuit, on Nov. 24-25 on Aspen Mountain.

Vonn’s request to compete in a men’s World Cup downhill race was rejected Saturday by the International Ski Federation.



Vonn, a four-time overall World Cup champion, wanted to enter the men’s downhill on Nov. 24 at Lake Louise, Alberta. If she had been allowed to race against the men, she would have missed the two races in Aspen because they’re on the same weekend.