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Riveting rivalries
Lindsey Vonn vs.
Maria Riesch
Growing up, American skier Lindsey Vonn idolized two-time Olympic medalist Picabo Street. German Maria Riesch looked up to five-time medalist Katja Seizinger. Street and Seizinger were rivals; now, so are Vonn and Riesch. Vonn won three straight World Cup titles from 2008 to 2010, before Riesch claimed her first in 2011. This past season, Vonn (far right in photo) regained the top spot. In recent years, when Vonn didn't want to travel home to the U.S. during breaks in the Cup schedule, she would sometimes crash at Riesch's house. But the friendly rivalry became a rift last year, earning the duo more headlines than their skiing, especially when Vonn skipped Riesch's wedding. They have since reconciled, if not relaxed. With 53 World Cup wins, Vonn is just nine shy of matching the record. Riesch, with 23 wins, has some ground to make up. "Lindsey is chasing Annemarie Moser-Proll's record of 62," says Hank McKee, of Ski Racing Magazine. "Maria is chasing Lindsey."
