BEAVER CREEK, Colo. — Lindsey Vonn made her way down the Birds of Prey course one final time as a forerunner on Sunday before heading off to Switzerland.
This marks the beginning of her return to ski racing with her first World Cup event in nearly six years, as the 40-year-old skier is set to compete in a couple of super-G races in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
“I’m feeling the butterflies of excitement, and it’s such a thrill. I truly enjoy that sensation,” Vonn expressed after her practice runs on the course. “Being at the starting line is exhilarating for me. I love the countdown, and I get really amped up. It’s all about executing when it counts, and everything is on the line.”
Lacking the required points at the time, Vonn was unable to participate in the World Cup races in Beaver Creek over the weekend. Instead, she took the opportunity to familiarize herself with the Birds of Prey downhill course on Saturday and the super-G track on Sunday before the actual competitors. Afterward, she provided a scouting report over the radio, advising her teammates about where to push, where to tuck in, and where it would be best to take it easy.
Her valuable insights also aided her close friend and fellow Red Bull athlete Sofia Goggia, who capitalized on Vonn’s tips to secure victory in the super-G event on Sunday. Following her triumphant run, Goggia expressed her admiration for Vonn, highlighting their bond. “I have immense love for her. She holds great significance in my life,” Goggia stated. “She’s incredibly kind. We have shared many races together, and I can’t wait to see her back on the World Cup circuit.”
Vonn’s teammates also echoed positive sentiments: “Her wealth of knowledge is unmatched,” said Lauren Macuga, who finished 12th in the super-G after placing fourth in the downhill event. “Her presence elevates our entire team.”
Throughout her practice runs, Vonn deliberately maintained a speed of about 85% on Saturday before ramping it up to roughly 90% on Sunday.
“Considering I’m preparing to race in super-G next weekend, I needed to step it up a notch,” Vonn explained. “Overall, it was a fantastic day.”
Next weekend will mark Vonn’s first return to World Cup racing since a “DNF” (did not finish) in a super-G event at Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, back on January 20, 2019. Her final major competition before her hiatus was a month later when she finished third in the downhill at the world championships in Sweden.
At the time she retired, Vonn held a record of 82 World Cup wins—the most by a woman and just four short of Ingemar Stenmark’s overall Alpine record of 86 wins. In January 2023, Mikaela Shiffrin surpassed Vonn’s record, bringing her total to 99, the highest for any Alpine racer in history.
Vonn’s retirement was largely influenced by several injuries, especially to her knee, but after undergoing a partial knee replacement last April, she is now feeling more capable of racing downhill again.
“The last two years of my career were spent in survival mode,” Vonn reflected. “Now, I feel stronger than ever. I no longer dwell on my knee; I concentrate on executing my race.”
