SAALBACH-HINTERGLEMM, Austria — Lindsey Vonn is looking to expand her competitive repertoire at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics, aiming not only to participate in the traditional downhill and super-G events at age 41 but also to qualify for the new team combined event making its Olympic debut in 2026. Her vision for the team combined format was initially focused on pairing with fellow skier Mikaela Shiffrin, but when that plan didn’t materialize this week, she remains determined to pursue this new competitive challenge.
“I enjoy being part of a team,” Vonn shared. “It’s an entirely different experience than what I’ve been accustomed to in previous world championships or Olympics. I have always enjoyed competing individually in the combined event, which is no longer on the schedule. So, this represents the next best opportunity for me. I have a great rapport with each member of my team and would take pride in racing alongside any of them.”
In her quest to race alongside Shiffrin, who ultimately clinched gold alongside Breezy Johnson at the recent championships, Vonn placed 16th alongside teammate AJ Hurt. The innovative team combined event requires one athlete to complete a downhill run while another competes in a slalom run, with the two times combined to determine the final standings.
Both Vonn and Shiffrin stand out in skiing history, boasting an impressive tally of wins in the World Cup, with Shiffrin’s 99 victories leading the way and Vonn following closely with 82. Vonn holds the distinction of having the most downhill wins with 43, while Shiffrin leads in slalom victories, holding 62 wins — the highest records when considering both male and female competitors.
Reflecting on her potential partnership with Shiffrin, Vonn remarked, “Wouldn’t it have been incredible to have 181 victories as a single team? That would have been awesome. However, if we look at what’s best for the team right now, I’m not the right match. That could change in the next year, though.”
Vonn faced challenges during her downhill run in the combined event, finishing far behind the leader at 21st place and over 2.5 seconds slower than American teammate Lauren Macuga. This performance followed a mishap that led to her exiting the super-G event due to a hooked gate, coupled with a disappointing 15th-place finish in the downhill.
“Technically, my skiing has improved compared to before, but I’m lacking speed on the gliding front, which is unusual for me,” Vonn explained. “I need to address that aspect.” Having just resumed ski racing with a new titanium knee after a long absence of nearly six years, Vonn is hustling to adapt to her new equipment.
Her long-time ski technician, Heinz Haemmerle, has retired, leading equipment provider Head to assign Chris Krause to her. However, following a health issue, she had to switch to Rene Meusburger as her technician.
When asked about possibly bringing Haemmerle out of retirement to help her, Vonn stated, “That would be unfair to him. He had a serious leg accident recently and hasn’t skied since. He has a significant scar larger than mine. He will certainly assist me, but I don’t want to put his health at risk for my benefit.”
Vonn expressed enthusiasm about her current collaboration with the younger technician Meusburger, noting how his energetic nature meshes well with Haemmerle’s experience. “I think having a blend of both the old and the new could be a fruitful partnership for my skiing,” she noted.
Once this season concludes, Vonn will dive into an extensive testing phase to optimize her skiing gear, likely starting on European glaciers before heading to South America or New Zealand for further preparations. “It will be an intensive spring and summer to ramp things up,” Vonn said, acknowledging the necessity of suitable snow conditions for training.
After leaving the world championships, she planned to travel to Switzerland to provide skiing instruction at the Aiglon ski academy before returning to her home in Miami. Her next competitive appearance will be in Kvitfjell, Norway, at the month’s end.
Looking ahead, Vonn’s primary goal remains the 2026 Olympics. Recently, she indicated her intention to retire after competing in her fifth Olympic games. The women’s skiing events will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, a location where Vonn has previously claimed 12 World Cup victories.
“I’m not exactly patient, but I must be kinder to myself,” she conceded. “Despite my high expectations, finishing fourth and sixth in my second and third races back means I still have work to do. Being 40 and having a partial knee replacement is a challenge. It’s not like I lack knowledge on what to do… I just need the time to piece everything together.”
