SAALBACH-HINTERGLEMM, Austria — Lindsey Vonn’s first race at the Alpine skiing world championships ended abruptly after just 25 seconds. The American skier encountered difficulty at the 11th gate during the super-G course, resulting in a brief loss of sensation in her right arm and leaving her feeling “a little banged up.”
Despite battling symptoms akin to a cold or flu that required her to use a nebulizer to alleviate sinus discomfort, Vonn was eager to compete. “I didn’t make it that far but until I went out, I skied well and I had enough energy to be in a solid position,” she explained. “It’s unfortunate timing, but that’s how it goes in life.”
This incident marked the third time in the last four races Vonn has competed in since her return that she has not finished. Yet, Vonn is not considering taking any time off to recuperate fully. She confirmed her commitment to participating in the final training session on Friday before gearing up for the downhill event scheduled for Saturday, as well as the new team combined competition the following Tuesday.
“I didn’t return after six years just to stay in bed because I’m feeling under the weather. I want to compete and have fun,” Vonn stated. “I didn’t achieve the result I hoped for, but I was in the starting gate and enjoying myself. I was focused and excited; I just wish the outcome had been better… But I’ll have another chance on Saturday.”
Navigating new equipment has posed challenges for Vonn, who made her comeback in December after almost six years away from the sport. Starting with bib No. 30, she was pushing hard and took a turn too sharply, catching her arm on the gate.
The collision pressed against her forearm near her arm guard, locking her elbow and applying pressure on her shoulder, although Vonn managed to avoid a fall and came to a stop on her own. “I’m alright. I hit my nerve and lost feeling in my arm, but it’s gradually coming back,” Vonn explained.
Audience members held their breath in concern as they witnessed her mishap. However, she recovered enough to ski down to the finish line, waving at the crowd with her injured arm. At the initial checkpoint, she clocked the 16th-fastest time.
“I just went into the gate a bit too early and ended up hooking my arm,” she said. “I felt good in the upper section. I tried a new boot today, which may have contributed to my timing issues. I took a risk, and it didn’t work out. I’ll try different gear during the training run tomorrow and aim to secure a better position for Saturday.”
Vonn noted she had been using a nebulizer to maintain humidity and help clear her sinuses and lungs, admitting, “It’s a little hard to breathe. I’m not feeling great; my energy levels are pretty low.”
Nevertheless, Vonn celebrated alongside her younger teammate, 22-year-old Lauren Macuga, who achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a medal—tying for third place in her first world championship race, a feat Vonn did not accomplish in her own first appearance two decades earlier. “I am really excited for Lauren; she skied beautifully. I’m really proud of her,” Vonn remarked.
This event marks Vonn’s ninth world championships, her first since claiming bronze in downhill in 2019, the last race before her retirement. Throughout her career, she has amassed two gold medals, winning both the super-G and downhill events in 2009 in Val d’Isere, France, alongside a total of eight medals. Vonn is also a two-time Olympic medalist, having won gold in downhill in 2010 and securing two bronze medals in previous games.
In a recent interview, Vonn expressed that her primary goal for her comeback is to compete in the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics, with women’s skiing events scheduled in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the venue where she holds the record for 12 wins. With the opening ceremony for the next Winter Games just one year away on February 6, 2026, Vonn is focused on her aspirations.
