Fast Break

SKIING

Vonn sets American record

Lindsey Vonn set an American record with her 19th women’s World Cup victory Sunday in a super-G at Tarvisio, Italy.

The 24-year-old Vonn won in 1 minute, 21.72 seconds to better the previous record of 18 wins held by Tamara McKinney. Vonn finished second in a super-combi Friday and in a downhill Saturday.

“I was fighting all weekend for this and to finally get it on the last day is really special,” Vonn said. “This is something I’ve been working my whole life for.”

Bode Miller holds the U.S. men’s record with 31 World Cup victories.

Fabienne Suter of Switzerland was second on the Prampero course, 0.51 seconds behind Vonn, and Tina Maze of Slovenia was third.

Vonn skied again with a specially designed splint on her right hand. She sliced her thumb last week on a broken champagne bottle while celebrating a sweep of the speed races – downhill and super-G – at the world championships.

Vonn increased her lead in the overall standings to 299 points over Maria Riesch of Germany, who was 17th, with nine races remaining.

BASEBALL

No surprises on Japan roster

Japan set its roster Sunday for the 2009 World Baseball Classic, with Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka among five major league players on the 28-man squad.

Suzuki and Matsuzaka were key members of the team that won the inaugural WBC in 2006. Other major league players selected to the 2009 team were catcher Kenji Johjima of the Mariners, infielder Akinori Iwamura of the Tampa Bay Rays and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome of the Chicago Cubs.

Japan, led by Yomiuri Giants manager Tatsunori Hara, will begin the defense of its title when the tournament begins March 5 at the Tokyo Dome.

SOCCER

Sounders look sharp in tuneups

Nate Jaqua scored consecutive goals two minutes apart late in the first half and Fredy Montero got a pair of goals 43 seconds apart midway through the second half as the Seattle Sounders FC, in its first home game, beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-0 in an exhibition.

The Sounders, who will make their Major League Soccer debut March 19, got their initial action at Qwest Field, albeit in front of empty stands, as the game was closed to the public. They already had played four exhibitions in California and one Friday night in Portland, Ore., going 4-1-0.

Vancouver is the reigning champion of the United Soccer Leagues First Division, one notch below MLS.

The Sounders depart Tuesday for a 10-day trip to Argentina.