By USSA

LAKE LOUISE, Alberta -– Four-time World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail) skied confidently into the top five in the Lake Louise super G Sunday, showing her strength and ability to mount a podium challenge for the first time since her return to the World Cup circuit Friday.

“This is exactly what I wanted to take away from this weekend -– to know that I could ski for the win. I’m happy with today,” Vonn said. “I scrubbed some speed in a few spots, but it still showed me that I can ski for the podium. I’m going to be selective in my races this season, and I’ll take a few days home, talk to the coaches and determine a plan.”

Leanne Smith (North Conway, N.H.) finished just behind Vonn in sixth, finding the familiar form that exemplifies the U.S. Ski Team’s speed squad.

Swiss skier Lara Gut won the race, her third victory on the season.

Olympic gold medalist Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley) finished 17th while veteran Stacey Cook (Mammoth Mountain) finished 18th, her best World Cup super G result since 2008.