Lindsey Vonn’s return to downhill racing on a titanium‑reinforced knee has stunned the Alpine world. The 41‑year‑old won the opening speed weekend of the Olympic season by a huge margin, earning more points than any other skier over three days of World Cup racing.
A Historic Performance
Vonn’s first downhill win came with a margin that left competitors stunned. She finished 0.98 seconds ahead of the field, a gap that is almost unheard of in a discipline where races are often decided by hundredths of a second. The victory made her the oldest winner in World Cup history, surpassing all men and women.
After the win, Vonn posed her hands in a sleeping gesture reminiscent of NBA star Stephen Curry’s “Night, night” sign. The gesture drew attention from LeBron James, who posted on Instagram: “40+ is the new 20. Well, until you wake up the next day!”
Critics, Supporters, and Vonn’s Response
A year ago, as Vonn prepared to return after nearly six years of retirement, former champions Michaela Dorfmeister, Franz Klammer, and Pirmin Zurbriggen made harsh comments. Dorfmeister told Austrian TV that the American should see a psychologist and asked if she wanted to kill herself. Klammer called her “gone completely mad,” while Zurbriggen said she “hasn’t recognized the meaning and purpose of her other life in recent years.”
Vonn dismissed the criticism with confidence. “All the people that didn’t believe in me, I have to thank them because it really gives me a lot of motivation,” she said. “I’m surprised that people haven’t figured that out by now. That every time you talk bad about me it just makes me stronger and better and more motivated. So I would love for people to keep coming at me. It would be great. Motivate me even more.”
A Day of Dominance
On the Corviglia course in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Vonn looked more composed and stable than skiers half her age. She finished second in a second downhill on Saturday, despite a significant mistake midway down, and then placed fourth in a super‑G on Sunday. Across the weekend she earned 230 World Cup points, 60 more than Sofia Goggia and 85 more than 22‑year‑old German Emma Aicher, who won Saturday’s race.
Goggia, the 2018 Olympic champion, mocked Vonn’s performance in a light‑hearted way. “She took us all to school and left us with a pacifier (baby’s dummy) in our mouths,” she said on Friday. The next day she stood beside Vonn with a pacifier in her mouth, echoing the earlier comment.
Goggia praised Vonn’s impact: “She raised the bar for every athlete in downhill and super‑G.”
Reassessing Retirement and Planning Ahead
Vonn’s impressive weekend has led her to reconsider her retirement plans. Instead of ending her career immediately after the Milan Cortina Winter Games in February, she intends to ski through the end of the World Cup season in March. “I think I might need to change my approach,” she said.
Head coach Chris Knight explained the strategy: “We can start planning for the whole season.” Knight noted that Vonn’s equipment has been fine‑tuned and her fitness improved from last season. “She added 12 pounds (5.5 kilograms) of muscle to her frame,” he said. “She can perform at this level every weekend.”
Knight emphasized recovery: “It’s just about managing the load, the training and the recovery time,” he told The Associated Press. “Recovery is almost more important right now because she’s in a really good place with the skiing.”
Olympic Aspirations and a Potential Dream Team
Women’s Alpine skiing will take place in Cortina d’Ampezzo, where Vonn holds the record for 12 World Cup wins. In addition to downhill and super‑G, she plans to enter the new team combined event, which pairs a downhill racer with a slalom racer.
Vonn had previously campaigned to pair with slalom star Mikaela Shiffrin at last year’s world championships, but Shiffrin’s performances then did not merit the partnership. Shiffrin won gold with Breezy Johnson instead.
This season, Shiffrin has won all three slaloms, creating the possibility of a “Dream Team” in Cortina. Knight said, “If they do it like they did last year at the world champs, you take the fastest downhiller and the fastest slalom skier and move down from there.”
Coaching Support
Vonn also benefits from former Olympic downhill champion Aksel Lund Svindal on her coaching staff. He offered final words of advice before the weekend races. “He’s been at the start a million times and his calm energy is really helpful to me because sometimes I’m really intense,” Vonn said. “He’s just always so stable and that gives me peace of mind.”
Key Takeaways
- Vonn won the first downhill of the Olympic season by 0.98 seconds, becoming the oldest World Cup winner.
- She earned 230 points over the weekend, surpassing rivals Goggia and Aicher.
- Vonn plans to extend her career through March, with a focus on load management and recovery.
- She aims to compete in the team combined event at the Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympics, potentially pairing with Mikaela Shiffrin.
Vonn’s return has not only reshaped the competitive landscape but also rekindled her Olympic ambitions, setting the stage for a historic finish to her career.
Key Takeaways
- Vonn’s 0.98‑second win made her the oldest World Cup winner.
- She earned 230 points, outpacing Goggia and Aicher.
- Vonn will ski through March, focusing on recovery.
- She plans to enter the team combined at Cortina d’Ampezzo, possibly with Shiffrin.
The 41‑year‑old’s performance has reignited her Olympic dreams and positioned her as a standout contender in the upcoming games.
Morgan J. Carter is a Texas-based journalist covering breaking news, local government, public safety, and community developments across Austin. With more than six years of reporting experience, Morgan focuses on delivering accurate, clear, and timely stories that reflect the fast-moving pulse of the city.
At newsofaustin.com, Morgan reports on everything from severe weather alerts and traffic updates to city council decisions, crime reports, and the issues shaping daily life in Austin. Known for reliable fact-checking and a strong commitment to public-interest journalism, Morgan brings readers the information they need to stay informed and engaged.
When not tracking a developing story, Morgan enjoys exploring Austin’s neighborhoods, attending local events, and connecting with residents to share the voices and experiences that define the community.
