Vonn leads overall World Cup after Riesch flops By REUTERS

Lindsey Vonn of the U.S. poses with the women's Downhill Alpine Skiing World Cup trophy at the season's finals in Lenzerheide March 16, 2011. (REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay)

LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland -- Lindsey Vonn snatched the lead in the women’s overall World Cup on Wednesday after her great rival Maria Riesch flopped in the downhill.

Germany’s Riesch, who has led the standings for nearly the whole seasons, was 17th out of 20 finishers in Wednesday’s race and failed to score any points while Vonn came fourth.

American Vonn, World Cup winner for the last three seasons, leads by 27 points from Riesch with three races to go, a slalom, giant slalom and Super G, all this week at the Swiss resort.

Julia Mancuso of the United States won the race with Swiss Lara Gut second and Elisabeth Goergl of Austria third.