Lindsey Vonn makes further progress in her comeback at 40, racing in two downhill events.

COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — Despite being smaller-scale downhill events, there was no shortage of Olympians and World Cup ski champions competing here.

The spotlight was on Lindsey Vonn, the 40-year-old skier who took another pivotal step in her return journey on Saturday by racing for the first time in almost six years.

Vonn did not exhibit her usual speed, finishing amidst the pack on a crisp yet sunny day at Copper Mountain. However, the goal wasn’t about times or positions; it was about re-acclimating to the speed and accumulating points to qualify for the World Cup circuit this season. She achieved both, placing 24th in the morning’s first downhill race and 27th in the second.

She shared on social media after the FIS races that she earned enough points to participate in World Cup competitions. The timing aligns perfectly as the next event in the women’s series takes place in Beaver Creek, Colorado, next week. Although Vonn previously owned a home in nearby Vail, she has not set a timeline for a World Cup return.

“Today was a promising beginning, and I thoroughly enjoyed being at the start with my teammates again!” Vonn posted on X. “While there may be speculation about my performance due to the results, I disagree. This was my training. I’m still testing gear and rediscovering my rhythm.”

Vonn’s competitors — an impressive roster of elite ski athletes — expressed their admiration for her determination.

“I don’t anticipate her to return and dominate — just that she comes back and enjoys herself,” remarked Italy’s Federica Brignone, a former overall World Cup champion and Olympic medalist. “She’s having a great time, and doing what she loves. That’s the most important thing.”

In the first race, Vonn lagged behind the winning time of 1 minute, 5.79 seconds set by Mirjam Puchner of Austria by 1.44 seconds.

During her second run later in the morning, Vonn was 1.53 seconds off the pace of Cornelia Huetter from Austria, who crossed the finish line at 1:05.99. Huetter is the reigning World Cup downhill champion for the season.

“It’s wonderful to be back competing against her and to see her racing again,” said Huetter. “For the skiing World Cup, it’s definitely more exciting. It’s great for all racers because there’s a lot more attention on us.”

Also featured in the race were Italy’s Nadia Delago, a bronze medalist in downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, along with Puchner, who won silver in super-G during the same Olympics. Additionally, there was Marta Bassino from Italy, the super-G winner at the 2023 world championships, and Michelle Gisin, a two-time Olympic champion from Switzerland.

“For me, this was primarily a training session, but it was exciting to experience a World Cup-level race right here,” said Gisin. “What a unique race it turned out to be.”

Vonn remains a beloved figure, taking the time after each run to engage with young fans, signing autographs and taking photos.

However, her women’s record was eclipsed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now boasts 99 wins — the highest for any Alpine skier in history. Currently, Shiffrin is out of action following a recent crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont.

The last prominent race for Vonn was in February 2019, where she placed third in a downhill at the World Championships in Sweden. The three-time Olympic medalist retired while still on top. Nevertheless, her numerous injuries, including broken limbs, concussions, and torn ligaments, ultimately led to her retirement.

After undergoing a partial knee replacement last April, Vonn felt ready to give competitive skiing another try.

“It’s truly inspiring to witness the level of enthusiasm that Lindsey still embodies,” Gisin commented.

Also competing on Saturday was Sarah Schleper, aged 45, who formerly raced for the United States but now represents Mexico. Schleper was one position right behind Vonn, giving them a moment to reminisce as two 40-somethings still in the sport.

“I told her, ‘Share some tips, Lindsey,’” Schleper recounted. “And she replied, ‘It’s all about getting in that tuck; it’s the whole key.’ She then added, ‘It feels just like the old days.’”

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