BORMIO (AFP) - At the Turin Olympics in 2006, US downhiller Lindsey Kildow showed her mettle by rebounding from a harrowing training crash to secure four top 15 places in her remaining events.

On Wednesday, the 23-year-old - now named Vonn since her marriage last year to former skier Thomas - took another step towards erasing that setback by claiming the first of a potential hatful of World Cup titles.

After a stunning season which saw her annihilate her downhill rivals and become the overall series leader Vonn was finally awarded the prestigious downhill crystal globe.

It came after the cancellation of the women's final downhill due to adverse snow conditions, but that fact mattered little.

With five wins and seven podium places in nine downhills, Vonn was simply untouchable in a season which has seen her become the first ever American to notch up 10 career World Cup downhill wins.

Vonn's tally of 755 downhill points left Austria's former speed queen Renate Goetschl over 300 points off the pace.

Seeing her childhood hero Picabo Street win the downhill crown nearly 14 years ago proved a pivotal moment in Vonn's life.

"Seeing the globe then really inspired me to win it," said Vonn, who was beaming with joy despite the race cancellation giving her overall World Cup rival Maria Reisch an increased chance of victory.

But it has been a combination of hard work and determination since her Olympic setback in 2006, and a crash late last season - leading to months of tough rehabilitation at her base in Austria - that has made her a contender for the prestigious World Cup.

Ironically, she said her "consistent" 2008 season is down to not skiing as fast as she can. Getting married, and having a shoulder to lean on throughout the season, has also helped.

"In the past years I was skiing pretty well but I was crashing quite a bit and sometimes making huge mistakes," added Vonn.

"Now I've just found the line where I can ski consistent and not risk too much. I've been skiing at 90-100 percent, instead of going as fast as I can."

She admitted that having her husband Thomas around has given her stability.

"I'm a girl, and so I'm a little crazy sometimes! He keeps me sane."

After ending her 2007 season early due to a crash at the world championships in Sweden, Vonn spent months trying to get back to full fitness.

"I spent a lot of time in the gym and on the bike. It really gets tiring, but what motivates me is the Olympics, and wanting to be stronger. I'm pretty determined," she added.

Missing out on the chance to add downhill points to her overall tally on Wednesday could dent Vonn's bid to become the first US women to dominate the overall series since Tamara McKinney in 1983.

Vonn has amassed 1263 points from five different events and has 157 points more than Riesch, a super-G specialist who could claim the title in that discipline on Thursday, and thus close her deficit.

Vonn may have to give the performance of her life to keep Riesch at bay in the remaining three women's races of the super-G, slalom and giant.

If successful, she and compatriot Bode Miller could scoop the overall crowns for the US - a feat last achieved in 1983 when McKinney joined Phil Mahre in dominating the series.

For the moment Vonn is still trying to get used to winning the downhill crown. But deep down she knows she will have to battle with Riesch, who is promising some late season drama.

"I spoke to Maria, and she thinks I'm going to win the overall but I told her I'm not so sure," added the American.

"She's a very talented skier, and I've always told her that. She's definitely going to be one of the ones to beat for the years to come.

"Hopefully we'll be there together."