Lindsey Vonn, who was forced to quit ski racing almost six years ago due to an injury, says she has been surprised by how well her recovery has fared.
Following a glittering career that included 82 World Cup victories and Olympic and World Championship victories, the 40-year-old retired in February 2019 with knee issues.
Vonn decided to try racing once more after having a titanium knee replacement and ski pain-free once more.
The American finished 14th in her first World Cup race back in December, and came fourth and sixth last weekend in super-G and downhill races in St Anton, Austria.
In an interview with the BBC’s Ski Sunday, Vonn said: “I didn’t expect anything that has happened this year.
I didn’t even anticipate competing in St Anton when I said I would because I believed there would be no way I would be prepared there. It’s such a challenging hill.
By far, I think I fared far beyond my expectations.”
Former racers Bernhard Russi and Michaela Dorfmeister have criticized her decision, calling it stupid and dangerous, but her return has not received unanimous support.
Vonn added: “I don’t know why my comeback was such a big problem.
” I’m not hurting anyone doing what I’m doing. Last weekend, I believe my response was quite concise.
Vonn continued to concentrate on her foundation and business after quitting the sport, learning to surfboard, wakeboard, and play tennis.
She chose to have the operation on her right knee, but she was still in pain.
“I was doing more therapy in retirement than I was when I was racing”, Vonn explained.
“I did it for my own longevity, for my own wellbeing. That was my motivation to live the life I had hoped for myself: to be pain-free.
Vonn was enjoying her life after the surgery, but something was missing. The excitement of skipping quickly again was present.
“Life as a ski racer is pretty simple”, she said. “You work hard, you do the right thing, and when you’re in the start gate you just want to go fast. I missed that”.
Vonn questioned her surgeon about how far her knee could be pushed, and whether or not she should ever compete once more.
“He told me it was up to me”, Vonn said. “He said if it doesn’t hurt and it feels good, the titanium knee is not going anywhere.
” There’s other risk factors, obviously. I have other ligaments, it’s like a normal knee. “Things can go wrong, but the titanium knee component is indestructible”.
Vonn has won 12 World Cup races there, the last of which was in 2018, and she knows how to climb Cortina in Italy on Saturday and Sunday.
She avoided any concerns about her injuries after falling during training on Thursday.
“I’m really excited to be back here”, Vonn said.
“I’ve been watching videos of the past races. They have had such a profound impact on my life. It means a lot to me. I’m just out here, having fun”.
The course is tantalizingly home to the 2026 Winter Olympics women’s races, which will be held in a year.
Vonn is not anticipating the fifth Winter Games, which would be her closest since 2002.
“I don’t think this weekend’s results mean anything for the next Olympics”, she said.
“It]Olympics] depends on whether I can stay healthy, figure out my equipment, can I maintain this level of skiing for another year? I don’t know the answer to those questions.
We’ll see what the next few days bring, I say, “I’m going to enjoy this weekend like it’s my last ski trip here.”
Vonn would comfortably become the oldest person to win a World Cup if she were able to do so.
” My new knee has given me a second chance. Life is short so I’m going to take it, “she added.
Related topics
- Winter Sports
- Alpine Skiing
- Winter Olympics
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