Crossword Genius

Winning American crown (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ahead

'winning' is the definition.
(both can mean in the lead)

'american crown' is the wordplay.
'american' becomes 'a' (common abbreviation - e.g. in organisation names).
'crown' becomes 'head' ().
'a'+'head'='AHEAD'

(Other definitions for ahead that I've seen before include "In the vanguard" , "In the future" , "Winning" , "What's down the road" , "Forwards" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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