Red-hot Vonn stays cool on chances ahead of Vancouver 2010

SUCH is Lindsey Vonn's current form that on paper, she is a dead cert for Winter Olympic gold. The American is the first to concede however, that rarely are medals won on paper.

STAYING COOL: Lindsey Vonn is a red-hot favourite for Winter Olympic success but she is playing down her chances on the eve of Vancouver (Getty Images)   

The 25-year-old has collected 31 World Cup triumphs since her first in December 2004 - nine of which have come in what has to date been another trail-blazing season for Vonn.

Six of those have come in January as she times her run to Vancouver to perfection. It is not inconceivable that she sweeps the board and returns with five gold medals around her neck.

Great friend, rival and slalom specialist Maria Riesch of Germany is sure to have something to say about that but - as the reigning downhill, super-G world champion and having collected the 2009 World Cup titles in the both those events as well as the securing the overall title - Vonn's pedigree is unquestionable.

While five may prove beyond her, Vonn, is seemingly a shoe-in for downhill gold. She stormed to victory in the first five downhill races of the season and 17 of her 31 World Cup wins have come in her favoured discipline.

Vonn does not have fond Olympic memories however. On the eve of the Turin Games four years ago Vonn suffered a crash in training and was airlifted to hospital.