US formalise Vonn bid to race with men

A four-times overall World Cup champion, Vonn set the ski racing world abuzz last month when she announced her wish to race in the men's season-opening downhill at Lake Louise on November 24.

Bill Marolt, president and CEO of the USSA, said: "Lindsey Vonn achieved great success in sport due to her continual quest for new challenges in alpine ski racing.

"As a national ski association within FIS, we have the highest respect for Lindsey’s accomplishments and appreciate the opportunity to support Lindsey by engaging in this discussion with FIS."

The USSA request has specifically asked that the FIS Council provide a clear direction on how to effectuate her goal in a manner which preserves the integrity of the FIS World Cup, protects her competition eligibility, holds harmless FIS quotas and start rights, and respects the rights of all FIS athletes and FIS stakeholders.

Vonn has stated she will only take part in the men's race if she is allowed to compete in the women's downhill season-opener the following weekend on what is essentially the same course.

Under FIS rules, however, no racer is allowed to ski on a race course a week prior to their own competition.

In a compromise, Vonn has reportedly offered to forgo two training runs for the women's race as a way of evening out the playing field if she can compete in both events.

The FIS Council is expected to make a decision at its next meeting on November 3-4 in Switzerland.