Lindsey Vonn Returns to Ski Racing After Six-Year Retirement
COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — The queen of the slopes is back! Lindsey Vonn, one of the most decorated skiers in history, made her much-anticipated return to competitive skiing on Saturday, finishing 24th in a lower-level FIS downhill race. It’s been nearly six years since the 40-year-old last competed, and while the result wasn’t podium-worthy, her comeback is already making waves in the skiing world.
Vonn, who retired in 2019 due to a string of injuries, clocked in at 1.44 seconds behind the winning time of 1 minute, 5.79 seconds set by Austria’s Mirjam Puchner. The race featured 43 competitors on a crisp, sunny day at Copper Mountain, Colorado. While the result may not seem headline-grabbing, the fact that Vonn is back on the slopes at all is nothing short of remarkable.
After crossing the finish line, Vonn bent over to catch her breath, a moment that seemed to capture the grit and determination that has defined her career. True to her fan-friendly reputation, she then made her way to the crowd, signing autographs and posing for photos before heading back up the mountain for another run.
Why Is Vonn Racing Again?
Vonn’s return isn’t just about nostalgia. She’s competing in a series of FIS races to improve her ranking, which could allow her to qualify for World Cup events later this season. Saturday’s race was just the beginning, with another downhill event scheduled for later in the day and two super-G races on Sunday. It’s clear that Vonn is serious about this comeback, and fans are eager to see how far she can go.
When Vonn retired, she left the sport as a legend. Her 82 World Cup race victories were the most ever by a woman and just four shy of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Sweden’s Ingemar Stenmark. However, her women’s record was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now holds an astonishing 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in history.
Shiffrin’s Absence and Vonn’s Timing
Interestingly, Vonn’s return comes at a time when Shiffrin, the current face of women’s skiing, is sidelined. Shiffrin suffered a crash during a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont, last weekend and is currently recovering. The next World Cup races are set to take place in a week at Beaver Creek, Colorado, but Vonn has yet to announce when she plans to rejoin the World Cup circuit.
For now, Vonn is focused on regaining her form and proving she can still compete at the highest level. Her last major race was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill event at the world championships in Sweden. At the time, she was still near the top of her game, but years of injuries — including broken arms, legs, concussions, and torn knee ligaments — forced her to step away from the sport.
A Comeback Fueled by Determination
Vonn’s decision to return wasn’t made lightly. She underwent a partial knee replacement in April and has been working tirelessly to get back into racing shape. Her performance on Saturday may not have been a victory, but it was a testament to her resilience and love for the sport.
The field on Saturday wasn’t short on talent, either. Big names like Swiss racer Michelle Gisin, Italy’s Federica Brignone and Marta Bassino, and Austria’s Cornelia Huetter were all in the mix. Also competing was 45-year-old Sarah Schleper, a former U.S. skier now representing Mexico. The competition was fierce, but Vonn’s presence was undoubtedly the highlight of the day.
What’s Next for Lindsey Vonn?
With more races on the horizon this weekend, Vonn has plenty of opportunities to find her rhythm and improve her rankings. Whether she can make it back to the World Cup circuit remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Lindsey Vonn’s return has reignited excitement in the skiing world.
For fans, this comeback is about more than just results. It’s about witnessing one of the greatest athletes of all time defy the odds and chase her passion once again. Whether she’s signing autographs at the finish line or battling it out on the slopes, Vonn’s presence is a reminder of why she’s a legend in the sport.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Vonn to see how far this comeback can take her. Can she reclaim her spot among the world’s best? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: Lindsey Vonn isn’t done making history just yet.
- Vonn’s 82 World Cup wins remain second all-time, behind Mikaela Shiffrin’s 99.
- Her last major race was in February 2019, where she finished third in a downhill event.
- She underwent a partial knee replacement in April before deciding to return to racing.
Stay tuned as Vonn continues her journey back to the top. The slopes have missed her, and so have we.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
