Vonn Wins World Cup, Liechtenstein’s Buechel Retires In Style

The World Cup of skiing is taking place this week in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany and while American superstar Lindsey Vonn won her third-straight title – and in the process became the most accomplished American skier in history with 33 World Cup victories – it was a skier on the men’s side who garnered the most attention from the photographers.↵↵Competing in his final World Cup event, Liechtenstein’s Marco Buechel, 38, decided he wanted to go out in style. So Buechel took to the slopes in a jacket and tie – and corresponding shorts, of course – to ski one last race, ending his 20-year career.↵

↵↵He finished the race nearly a full minute behind the leader, with the entire crowd on its feet during his run. He even took the time to stop and shake hands with course officials on his way down the mountain.↵

↵↵⇥“It’s so nice (to hear the crowd cheer), I always wished it would end like this, that the people can celebrate with me,” he said.↵⇥↵⇥“It was rather chilly to race (in shorts), I must admit. Oh well, you just have to grit your teeth a bit.”↵⇥

↵↵↵Here’s a link to video of his run. It’s quite a way to end a career. Sure beats a teary-eyed press conference.↵

↵↵As for Vonn, she became the first woman to win three-straight overall titles since 1992 and finished this season with 11 victories on the World Cup circuit, a U.S. record.↵

↵↵⇥“I gave it all I had. I have nothing more,” Vonn said. “I am the most successful American ever, and I am very, very happy.”↵↵Now try and do it in a ball gown.↵