December 7th 2024.
Lindsey Vonn may be 40 years old, but she's not letting that stop her from making a comeback in the world of skiing. After a six-year hiatus, Vonn returned to the slopes at Copper Mountain, Colorado, where she competed in two lower-level downhill events. Despite the level of competition, the race had its fair share of Olympic medalists and World Cup winners, making it a challenging but exciting event.
Although Vonn didn't finish at the top of the pack, her main goal was to get back into the swing of things and earn enough points to compete in the World Cup circuit this season. And she accomplished just that, finishing 24th in the first race and 27th in the second. Vonn even took to social media to announce that she had enough points to enter World Cup events, just in time for the next race in Beaver Creek, Colorado.
While some may speculate that Vonn's results weren't up to par, she sees these races as training and getting back into the groove of things. After all, it's been a while since she's competed at this level, and she's still testing out new equipment. Her fellow competitors, including former overall World Cup champion Federica Brignone, understand the importance of this comeback for Vonn and are just happy to see her back on the slopes doing what she loves.
In her first race, Vonn finished 1.44 seconds behind the winning time of Mirjam Puchner from Austria. In the second race, she was 1.53 seconds behind Cornelia Huetter, the reigning World Cup downhill champion. It was a tough competition with other notable skiers such as Nadia Delago, the bronze medalist in downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and Marta Bassino, a winner of the super-G at the 2023 world championships.
Despite the tough competition, Vonn made sure to take some time to interact with her fans, signing autographs and taking photos. Her popularity and impact on the sport were evident, especially as she left the sport with 82 World Cup race victories, which was a record for a woman at the time. Even though that record has since been surpassed by Mikaela Shiffrin, who has 99 wins, Vonn's legacy and passion for skiing continue to inspire others.
Vonn's last major race was in 2019, where she finished third in a downhill at the world championships in Sweden. She left the sport still at the top of her game but decided to retire due to the toll that multiple injuries took on her body. However, after a partial knee replacement last year, Vonn felt good enough to give racing another shot, and it's clear that her passion for the sport has not diminished.
Another notable racer at the event was 45-year-old Sarah Schleper, who now represents Mexico after competing for the United States. Schleper and Vonn, two 40-something-year-olds, had a chance to catch up and share some tips before their races. It was a nostalgic moment for them, as they reminisced about the "good old days" of skiing and their love for the sport.
It's clear that Vonn's comeback is not just about winning races, but also about inspiring others and showing that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing your passion. Vonn's determination and love for skiing continue to make a lasting impact on the sport, and we can't wait to see what she'll accomplish next.
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