Lindsey Vonn participated in two lower-tier downhill races at Copper Mountain, Colorado, on Saturday, utilizing these events as a training platform for the first time since February 2019. Vonn, who on Nov. 14 revealed her return to the U.S. ski team, placed 24th and 27th after starting in 39th position among 43 competitors. She completed […]
Lindsey Vonn participated in two lower-tier downhill races at Copper Mountain, Colorado, on Saturday, utilizing these events as a training platform for the first time since February 2019.
Vonn, who on Nov. 14 revealed her return to the U.S. ski team, placed 24th and 27th after starting in 39th position among 43 competitors.
She completed her runs 1.44 seconds and 1.53 seconds behind the Austrian victors Mirjam Puchner and Cornelia Huetter, respectively.
“Today marked a great beginning, and I thoroughly enjoyed being at the start line with my teammates once more!” Vonn shared on her social media. “While I expect some will speculate and claim I’m not in peak condition based on the results, I respectfully disagree. This was training for me. I’m still evaluating equipment and easing back into my rhythm. This is just the start, and how I ski is far more significant than the times right now.”
The races this weekend are sanctioned by the FIS — below the elite World Cup level — yet numerous World Cup-level athletes are participating as they prepare for next weekend’s World Cup event in Beaver Creek, Colorado.
To regain eligibility for the World Cup, Vonn, now 40, must first race at a lower level. Her plans following this weekend have yet to be disclosed.
Prior to training with the U.S. team in Copper Mountain, Vonn trained independently in New Zealand and Austria.
“I’ve truly only been training since October, so… I’m much further ahead than I anticipated at this point,” she stated after the races on Saturday.
During her illustrious 18-year career, Vonn secured the Olympic gold medal in downhill in 2010, four overall World Cup titles, and 82 individual World Cup races before retiring in 2019, primarily due to the physical impacts of injuries related to ski racing.
She made a comeback this year following a partial knee replacement surgery on her right knee in April.
Lindsey Vonn is making a comeback to the U.S. Alpine skiing team at 40 years old after nearly six years of retirement.
