SAALBACH-HINTERGLEMM, Austria — Tom Brady continued to thrive in the NFL well into his 40s, with no one questioning his sanity while facing towering defensive linemen eager to take him down. Similarly, Lewis Hamilton recently took the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car at 40, and he faced no age-related doubts about his capabilities in the high-octane motorsport world. In a comparable vein, Marcel Hirscher, the celebrated ski racer, returned to the slopes after a five-year hiatus without receiving severe scrutiny.
However, Lindsey Vonn’s comeback at 40 has raised eyebrows and sparked considerable debate. Before Vonn re-entered the competitive skiing scene last December, two-time Olympic champion Michaela Dorfmeister raised eyebrows on Austrian television, suggesting that the American should consult a psychologist, posing the concerning query of whether Vonn wished to harm herself. Notably, Austrian downhill legend Franz Klammer remarked that she seemed “completely mad,” while fellow World Cup champion Pirmin Zurbriggen stated that she had lost touch with the importance of life outside skiing.
Vonn reacted to this backlash by expressing her disappointment with the disrespectful nature of the comments aimed at her. “I don’t think I deserved such disrespect. I fully anticipated questions regarding my knee’s safety, which is a reasonable concern,” Vonn stated as she arrived at the World Championships. “However, many inquiries centered around me as an individual, my mental well-being, and my life beyond skiing. Such questions were entirely inappropriate, and no one else, like Marcel, endured similar scrutiny. This treatment directed only at me seems fundamentally unjust.”
While Hirscher specializes in the less perilous events of slalom and giant slalom, Vonn competes in riskier disciplines like downhill and super-G, where athletes can reach speeds exceeding 80 mph (130 kph). Notably, men have successfully participated in downhill events well past their 40s. Just last January, Johan Clarey, at 42, claimed second place in the prestigious Hahnenkamm downhill in Kitzbuehel, Austria, making history as the oldest podium finisher in the event.
Vonn demonstrated her ongoing competitiveness with impressive finishes of sixth and fourth in a downhill and super-G event in St. Anton, Austria, during the previous month. While she is still working on regaining her speed and has experienced minor falls in her comeback, she has taken additional time to fine-tune her techniques heading into the championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm.
When reflecting on the reception of her return in the United States, Vonn remarked on the overwhelming support she received. “Everyone has been incredibly supportive. It’s truly only in Europe where I’ve encountered such criticism,” she noted. Vonn emphasized the importance of her journey to women her age, conveying that her actions inspire others, demonstrating that pursuing one’s dreams remains possible regardless of age.
As she competes in two events—super-G and downhill—Vonn is keen on teaming with fellow skier Mikaela Shiffrin in the new combined event at the championships. Set for February 11, the women’s contest features one team member competing in downhill and another in slalom, with their times totaled for the final result.
Both Vonn and Shiffrin hold remarkable distinctions in the sport, with Shiffrin boasting 99 World Cup victories and Vonn claiming 82. Furthermore, Vonn leads all competitors in downhill victories with 43, while Shiffrin holds the slalom record with 62 victories, the highest for both men and women.
“I believe it would be incredibly special in ski racing to have a combined total of 181 World Cup wins on a single team,” Vonn expressed. However, she also noted uncertainty about Shiffrin’s physical readiness to participate after her return. If Shiffrin is not prepared for the combined, Vonn suggested she could partner with Paula Moltzan, a fellow skier from her hometown.
“We come from the same small town. It would be a fantastic experience to race with her. However, I’d be thrilled to compete with any of my teammates,” Vonn added. The championships will kick off with a team parallel event on Tuesday, which neither Vonn nor Shiffrin will participate in.
