Lindsey Vonn Secures First World Cup Downhill Victory Since 2018
Lindsey Vonn achieved a remarkable milestone on Friday by securing her first World Cup downhill victory since 2018. This event took place in St. Moritz, Switzerland, marking her stunning return to competitive skiing.
Lindsey Vonn’s Historic Win
In her 125th career start, Vonn showcased her athletic prowess more than six years after her retirement. The 41-year-old American ski legend finished the race with a time of 1 minute, 29.63 seconds, reaching speeds of 74 mph.
- First World Cup downhill victory since 2018
- Race time: 1:29.63
- Speed reached: 74 mph
Significance of the Victory
This victory signals her intention to compete vigorously at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in February. Vonn’s win comes shortly after she stated that she “had nothing to prove” following her comeback.
Describing her comeback, Vonn likened it to Michael Jordan’s return to basketball, emphasizing her previous successes and legacy in the sport. “I’ve already succeeded. I was on the podium,” she said, highlighting her record as the oldest woman to win a World Cup race.
Competition Highlights
Vonn’s performance was remarkable as she overtook Mirjam Puchner from Austria, securing victory by 0.98 seconds. After trailing for part of the race, Vonn dominated the latter half, ultimately displaying her skill and tenacity.
- Vonn led by 1.16 seconds ahead of Puchner at the finish
- Puchner came in third, with upstart Magdalena Egger placing second
Training and Preparation
Vonn attributes her success to a rigorous training regime and a new coaching partnership with Aksel Lund Svindal, a 36-time World Cup winner. The collaboration is already yielding positive results.
“We worked really hard, and I knew I was skiing fast,” Vonn stated after the race. As she prepares for upcoming events, including another downhill race on Saturday and a super-G on Sunday, her confidence remains high. “I think I had a great run, but I also made some mistakes,” she remarked, indicating her readiness for challenges ahead.
