Former downhill dominator Lindsey Vonn will compete in an alpine ski race again this weekend after a break of almost six years. The 40-year-old American is planning to compete in the downhill and super-G on Saturday and Sunday at a lower-class race run by the World Federation Fis in Copper Mountain, Colorado. This was revealed by US head coach Paul Kristofic, according to the AP news agency.
The Olympic champion and the American association had already announced her general comeback in mid-November. Vonn ended her successful career in February 2019, which was also marked by many injuries including repeated cruciate ligament tears. She had an artificial knee joint inserted just last February.
The goal is the World Cup
Vonn needs good results so she can compete in World Cup races this season under a new wildcard rule. “My goal is to enjoy this, and hopefully that path will lead me to World Cup racing,” Vonn said in an interview with The New York Times. “I wouldn’t be back on the US Ski Team if I didn’t have intentions.”
With 82 victories, Vonn is the third most successful World Cup racer in history after her compatriot Mikaela Shiffrin (99) and the Swede Ingemar Stenmark (86).