Lindsey Vonn, right, pauses to meet a fan after she skied as a forerunner for Thursday's women's giant slalom ski race at the U.S. Alpine Championships at Sugarloaf.

Nina O'Brien, of Vail Colo., sets up a turn during the second run of the women's giant slalom ski race at the U.S. Alpine Ski Championship in Carrabassett Valley. O'Brien won the race.

Megan McJames, of Park City, Utah, bends a gate on a turn during her second run of the women's giant slalom ski race. McJames finished third.

O'Brien, center, celebrates her victory in the women's giant slalom ski race with second place finisher Paula Moltzan, of Lakeville, Minn., left, and McJames, of Park City, Utah, who finished third, at the U.S. Alpine Championships.

O'Brien, left, gets a congratulatory hug from second place finisher Moltzan.

Vonn speaks to reporters after running the women's giant slalom ski race course as a forerunner at the U.S. Alpine Championships. Vonn did not compete in the race.