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January 11 2025
Lindsey Vonn Comeback: In her first downhill race in six years, Lindsey Vonn finished sixth on Saturday, marking an incredible comeback to the World Cup circuit. Her performance impressed the 40-year-old American, who is regarded as the best downhill skier in the history of the women's World Cup. Vonn finished just 0.58 seconds behind the race leader, Federica Brignone of Italy, after reaching a peak speed of 77 mph in the early going.
With her arms up in the air, Vonn, who was wearing the low-ranked bib number 32, grinned widely as she crossed the finish line. Her first-place finish of fifth was a welcome surprise. She stated, "That was fun," in an interview with Eurosport. "I still made a couple of mistakes, but I know I can be faster." Vonn continued, "I haven't started outside the top 30 since I was probably 17 years old," as she reflected on her race. Taking everything into account, it was a fantastic beginning.
However, after an outstanding run by 21-year-old Malorie Blanc, a Swiss World Cup downhill debutant, Vonn's place was eventually moved to sixth. Blanc, who wasn't even born when Vonn started her World Cup career, came in second, trailing Brignone by just 0.07 seconds. Vonn was nevertheless happy with her performance, saying, "I was a little bit happier with fifth place than sixth place."
Vonn made a surprising recovery after knee surgery last year, and this race was her second appearance. She had placed fourteenth in a super-G race held in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in December. But she felt more at ease in the downhill race. "I feel a little bit more confident and comfortable in downhill than I do in super-G," she said following the race. Her homecoming was tinged with nostalgia as she said that she was familiar with the course because she had won here in St. Anton in 2007.
With beautiful skies and a comfortable temperature of eighteen degrees, Vonn was racing in perfect conditions. However, following Thursday's training session, the race organizers were forced to cut the course to 1.2 kilometers because of the heavy snowfall.
Vonn's performance demonstrated her continuing competence and determination in spite of these modifications. For Vonn, going back to the slopes is about more than simply the outcome; it's about rediscovering the comfort and confidence she's earned throughout her illustrious career. The World Cup star holds a record in women's World Cup skiing with 82 victories, including 43 in downhill competitions.
She finished eighth at the Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, World Cup downhill race in January 2019. Curiously, the next races will take place on the same Italian track that will hold the women's Alpine skiing competitions at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Vonn's next competition is a super-G race that is set for Sunday. She will next proceed to the renowned Cortina races, where she has won 12 World Cups in her career. Vonn's perseverance and love for the sport are evident as she writes a new chapter in her career, demonstrating that she still has a lot to contribute to the skiing community.
For Lindsey Vonn and the sport as a whole, her comeback to the World Cup circuit is a momentous occasion. As she races and, ideally, builds on her illustrious career in the years to ahead, both fans and critics will be keenly following her.
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