VAL-D'ISERE - American speed queen Lindsey Vonn was back in World Cup action on Wednesday, comfortably completing downhill training in Val d'Isere. In her fight to regain full fitness in time to defend her Olympic downhill title, Vonn opted out of competing at St Moritz last weekend after returning to competition at Lake Louise in the first week of December. In Canada she showed steady progress over three races in her first starts since reconstructive surgery on her right knee after a crash at the World Championships in Schladming last February. Vonn finished in 12th spot on Wednesday, 1.23sec off the lead time of 1min 49.30sec set by Germany's Maria Hoefl-Riesch, who won back-to-back downhills in Lake Louise. Current World Cup leader Lara Gut of Switzerland was a further 0.06sec adrift.–AFP