VAIL, Colo. -- Lindsey Vonn is energized by her progress in recovering from a knee injury and might be in the starting gate next week in Canada. Vonn spoke with The Associated Press on Friday after three early super-G training runs. This was her first big test since she crashed during training at Copper Mountain last week and partially tore a reconstructed ligament in her right knee. "Definitely, Im encouraged," she said. "Its looking a lot better than everyone expected. Things are going well." Wearing a brightly colored jacket over her speed suit, the reigning Olympic downhill champion took an easy opening run through the course on a crisp morning. On her second pass, Vonn got a little more aggressive, picking up more speed as she glided down the hill. For her third and final run, she opened it up even more to see how her knee responded. "So far, so good," she said after her workout. So much so she remains hopeful she might race in Alberta next week. Asked about her readiness for Lake Louise, Vonn said: "Im not sure yet. As it looks right now, yeah." She concedes theres plenty more work to do to get into shape. "Im taking it day by day. Im not pushing it that hard yet," Vonn said. "Today, I was just kind of feeling it out. But the last run was better. It was more like normal. Im skiing in my clothes and seeing how things go so far. Im not taking unnecessary risks yet." Some say Vonn shouldnt push so soon, especially with the Sochi Games not until February. Why not come back in January to give her surgically repaired knee more time to heal? "Because I want to start in Lake Louise," Vonn said of a course she dominates so much its known as "Lake Lindsey." She laughed as she unbuckled her ski boots and stuffed them into her car. "Im just going to progress every day until Lake Louise," Vonn said. Vonn spent Thanksgiving Day squeezing in a little free skiing, posting on her Facebook page: "First day back on snow since my crash and it was awesome!" She also attached a picture of herself -- grinning -- on an empty slope in Vail. This, however, was a bigger step. The 29-year-old Vonn is not planning to attend the season-opening World Cup downhill on the new Beaver Creek course on Friday because "its too hard on me." Vonn had her sights set on returning for this race after tearing ligaments in her right knee during a high-speed accident at the world championships in February. She was on target, too, before her Copper Mountain crash. Jordan Richards Jersey . I kept my eyes focused up on the camera during each approach. I just tried to stay focused on my form, as I didnt know what the ball reaction was. I was quite emotional at the end. I did not actually see any of the shots in the game until I got home and watched the video. 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With two games against Lithuania and Slovakia in four days, McGhee is confident the powerful Hearts defender will further develop his reputation. Paterson in training with Scotland as boss Gordon Strachan looks on The 21-year-old, who has two caps, scored a spectacular left-footed goal as Hearts beat McGhees Motherwell team 3-1 on Friday night.I think hes a terrific player, McGhee said. Going forward he does things that we want, that Gordon wants. Scotlands assistant manager Mark McGhee says he would be in favour of seeing more teams at the World Cup finals He has assets that suit the way Gordon wants the team to play and the way Gordon wants the full-backs to play.dddddddddddd. With Alans withdrawal, we are lucky to have him.Scotland host Lithuania on Saturday night buoyed by their opening win, but Lithuania showed they will take points in the section when they drew 2-2 with Slovenia after being two goals up heading into the final 20 minutes. Paterson celebrates his goal at Fir Park on Friday night McGhee said: Weve got to imagine that every game is going to be as tough as any other and then we wont be caught by surprise. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. We have got to prepare as if this is the hardest game in the section and if we keep doing that then we will never be caught out.We expect them to be at their best and therefore we have to make sure if possible we are at our best.You can watch Scotlands crunch match with Lithuania, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Scotland latest Motherwell 1-3 Hearts Malta 1-5 Scotland Hutton pulls out Scotland fixtures Live on Sky ' ' '