Pressure on Riesch in skiing finals

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany – Racing in her hometown, Maria Riesch is going to face the pressure that comes with being the local favorite at the world championships no matter the circumstances.

Add to the mix that she is leading the overall World Cup standings and has won four races this season, and it’s easy to understand why expectations are even higher than after she won two golds at the Vancouver Olympics a year ago.

A brief stroll through the central Marienplatz features pictures of Riesch in nearly every shop window.

“I’m hoping, and theoretically I have a chance, for a medal in every event,” Riesch said. “With a few exceptions, I’m having an almost perfect season. That’s why the expectations” are so high.

Riesch has displayed her all-around talent with 11 podium finishes stretched across the four disciplines of slalom, giant slalom, super-G and downhill.

“I’m just going to keep on trying to do my best every single race,” she said.

Riesch’s good friend and main rival, American Lindsey Vonn, left it open on Monday whether she will compete in today’s opening super-G in the wake of a concussion suffered in a training crash last week. She said she is still losing concentration in the lower section of courses.

“I have to make a smart decision. I must be absolutely sure that I can ski down safely,” said Vonn.

Vonn won the super-G and finished second to Riesch in the downhill at the finals last season.

Of the expectations on Riesch, Vonn said:

“It can kind of go either way. Maria has the home-hill advantage, but … also the home-hill pressure.”