COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn came in 24th place at a lower-tier FIS downhill event on Saturday, marking her return from retirement to race for the first time in nearly six years. The 40-year-old Vonn is on a comeback path after stepping back from competitive skiing due to injuries. She finished 1.44 seconds […]
COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn came in 24th place at a lower-tier FIS downhill event on Saturday, marking her return from retirement to race for the first time in nearly six years.
The 40-year-old Vonn is on a comeback path after stepping back from competitive skiing due to injuries. She finished 1.44 seconds slower than the winning time of 1 minute, 5.79 seconds set by Austria’s Mirjam Puchner. A total of 43 competitors participated on a cool yet mostly sunny day.
Right after crossing the finish line, Vonn bent down to recover her breath. She then approached the audience to sign autographs and take pictures before heading back up the mountain via the ski lift.
A second downhill run is set for later on Saturday, along with two super-G races on Sunday. Vonn is taking part in a string of FIS races to achieve the results needed to improve her standing, potentially allowing her to qualify for World Cup competitions this season.
At the time she retired, Vonn held the record for most World Cup race victories by a woman with 82, and was closing in on the overall alpine record of 86 held by Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark. However, in January 2023, Mikaela Shiffrin surpassed Vonn’s record, now boasting 99 wins—more than any other racer in alpine skiing history.
Currently, Shiffrin is sidelined following a crash during a giant slalom in Killington, Vermont, last weekend. The next World Cup races for the women’s circuit are slated for a week from now in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Vonn has yet to share a timeline for her return to the World Cup.
Vonn’s last significant race took place in February 2019, where she secured third place in a downhill event during the world championships held in Sweden. The three-time Olympic medalist exited the circuit while still performing at a high level. However, her numerous injuries, including broken bones and torn ligaments, were too overwhelming, leading her to retire.
She underwent a partial knee replacement last April and felt sufficiently recovered to attempt racing once more.
Several notable competitors were present on Saturday, such as Swiss skier Michelle Gisin, Italy’s Federica Brignone and Marta Bassino, as well as Austria’s Cornelia Huetter. Also in the mix was 45-year-old Sarah Schleper, who previously represented the United States but now competes for Mexico.
AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing
