Vonn wins World Cup downhill title ahead of Fenninger

Lindsey Vonn of the US kisses the Globe after winning the World Cup downhill trophy in the women's downhill race at the Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals in Meribel, in the French Alps, March 18, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

MERIBEL, France?- Lindsey Vonn won the World Cup downhill title for the seventh time after winning the last race in the discipline on Wednesday at the season-ending finals.

Her seven downhill titles and her 18th crystal globe are both records for women.

"It's incredible after being out with two knee operations it is just amazing to be sitting where I am today," the 30-year-old American said. "I'm so proud and happy and I really have to thank the people that supported me and got me back to where I am now."

Vonn finished 0.24 seconds ahead of Elisabeth Goergl and .30 ahead of Nicole Hosp.

Austrian racer Anna Fenninger finished second in the downhill standings. She trailed Vonn by 35 points heading into the race, and failed to make an impact on the Roc de Fer course, finishing nearly one second behind Vonn in eighth place.

Vonn, who raced immediately after her, increased her speed on the bottom section to clinch a 66th career race win. She is the all-time leader in wins.

Some fans near the finish held up banners saying "Congrats Lindsey" as she raised her poles.

Vonn finished the downhill season with 502 points, putting her 103 ahead of Fenninger. Tina Maze of Slovenia is third with 356 points.

In the race for the women's overall World Cup title, Fenninger holds a 12-point lead over Maze.

Maze gained some ground on Fenninger by finishing fourth on Wednesday.

Vonn, a four-time overall World Cup champion, is out of contention for the overall title this season.

Vonn blew out her right knee in a super-G race at the 2013 world championships in Schladming, Austria. She then hurt her knee again in her comeback, keeping her out of last year's Sochi Olympics.

She went nearly two years without a victory before winning a downhill in Lake Louise, Canada, in December. The following month, she overtook Austrian great Annemarie Moser-Proell's 35-year-old record of 62 World Cup victories.

Vonn will battle with Fenninger again on Thursday when the super-G title will be decided. Vonn is eight points ahead of Fenninger.

The 25-year-old Fenninger has been in great form, winning gold medals in giant slalom and super-G at the world championships last month, and placing second in downhill behind Maze, who finished second to Fenninger in super-G at the worlds.

Also Wednesday, Kjetil Jansrud clinched the men's downhill title by also winning the last race. The 29-year-old Norwegian finished 94 points ahead of Hannes Reichelt of Austria.