After serving as an Alpine skiing forerunner at the World Cup in Beaver Creek, Olympic legend Lindsey Vonn has announced her return to competition at the upcoming World Cup in St. Moritz, set for 21-22 December.
The Vancouver 2010 downhill champion spoke to reporters about her return to competition during a U.S. Ski Team press conference on Friday, 13 December ahead of the women’s Birds of Prey speed races at Beaver Creek.
Vonn shared that her motivation for returning to competition was that “I was put back together again”, referring to her April 2024 partial knee replacement surgery. Prior to this surgery she was in pain 24 hours a day, the four-time Olympian revealed, and had kept racing through the injuries and pain because of her love for ski racing.
“No injury ever held me back until it finally broke me,” Vonn said.
The surgery had been been a major turning point in the skier’s well-being.
“It was pretty soon after surgery in the rehab process that I was already doing things that I hadn’t done in years,” she said. “I feel stronger now than I did in my mid to late 20s.
“My body is cooperating. And thankfully, that titanium piece is really working out well.”
With this new chance at competing, Vonn made it clear that her return to the slopes is not just about participating but winning races too.
“I definitely have goals and expectations and I’m trying to be as patient as possible with myself on this journey and take it step by step and not skip any steps,” Vonn said. “I know my way back to a competitive level might take a race or two, but I certainly intend on on getting back to where I was before.”
Vonn was able to secure her World Cup racing qualification by competing in two super-Gs and two downhill races at Copper Mountain in December. She took advantage of a new wildcard rule to secure entry into the St. Moritz World Cup.
Lindsey Vonn to serve as forerunner at this weekend’s World Cup races in Beaver Creek
“My goal is to enjoy this:” Lindsey Vonn on her comeback
