What should we expect from Lindsey Vonn’s return?

PublishedNovember 15, 2024, 2.55pm

Alpine skiing: What should we expect from Lindsey Vonn’s return?

On Thursday, the American star announced his desire to return to competition. The potential comeback of the queen of speed, at 40, leaves no one indifferent in the industry.

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Chris Geiger

Lindsey Vonn announced Thursday that she hopes to return to competition this winter.

AFP

Many warning signs suggested this: the confidences delivered Thursday by Lindsey Vonn to the “New York Times” now leave no doubt. At 40, the American is doing everything possible to make her return to the highest level, after five winters away from the slopes.

The queen of speed, 82 World Cup successes, will rejoin the United States team this Friday in the hope of returning to the starting gates. His objective would be to participate in the events in Saint-Moritz on December 21 and 22 (two super-Gs are on the program).

The probable comeback of the living legend of alpine skiing (twenty crystal globes, three Olympic medals and eight world charms) has led to numerous reactions within the White Circus and among its followers. When contacted, Didier Cuche, Charlotte Chable and Hugues Ansermoz shared their feelings.

Didier Cuche: “His return surprised me a lot”

Didier Cuche has won the downhill globe four times, in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011. The last three times he was the speed king alongside Lindsey Vonn.

Didier Cuche has won the downhill globe four times, in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011. The last three times he was the speed king alongside Lindsey Vonn.

AFP

“The announcement of his return surprised me a lot, especially after five years of absence and having passed 40 years. Even more so knowing that women generally stop their careers a few years before men. Lindsey intends to make her return to competition quickly. So I wonder about taking risks. Because after a five-year break, we are certainly slower in our ability to act and react. When going downhill, you still put yourself in more danger than in technical disciplines.

Her background and the level she had throughout her career will certainly help her achieve very good performances. However, I do not dare to make too many predictions because the priority, in my eyes, is to not do anything wrong so as not to go to the mat. But his return is obviously serious. It’s not just marketing, from what I understand. I imagine that Lindsey has the ambition to go as far as possible.

Charlotte Chable: “I clearly see her in the points”

Charlotte Chable, now media coordinator at the FIS, stopped her career a few seasons ago due to a bruised body. She couldn't see herself imitating Lindsey Vonn.

Charlotte Chable, now media coordinator at the FIS, stopped her career a few seasons ago due to a bruised body. She couldn’t see herself imitating Lindsey Vonn.

freshfocus

“We felt it was coming because she had left a few little clues on her social networks. Before that, I had never thought about a possible return from him. She is still 40 years old and had to have her knee repaired. Medically, I don’t know what the risks are. I imagine, however, that she received the green light from the doctors. Sportingly, I don’t think she has lost the technical basics, the management of curves, etc. She has won everything in her life: in my opinion, it’s still there!

On the other hand, I wonder to what extent, at her age, she is mentally prepared to put herself in certain situations. Because, as we age, we become more fearful and respectful. And it generally lacks that little extra grain of madness that we had during our youth. Despite everything, I clearly see her finishing in the points. Playing all the way up front is something else. It will depend on the tracks and the conditions. Personally, I couldn’t see myself coming back like she’s about to do at all. Especially since I couldn’t benefit from a wild card (laughs)

Hugues Ansermoz: “I’m quite skeptical”

Former coach of the Swiss and Canadians in particular, Hugues Ansermoz worked alongside Lindsey Vonn from a very young age.

Former coach of the Swiss and Canadians in particular, Hugues Ansermoz worked alongside Lindsey Vonn from a very young age.

Swiss-Ski

“I have been around Lindsey since she was 15. I saw her grow up, just like Julia Mancuso. They arrived at the same time, with the same program. Mancuso was the talented one, Vonn the hardworking one. She really had to work hard for everything. So with the discipline that she was able to maintain even after her sporting retirement, her return is much more realistic than that of a Mancuso for example. Lindsey is probably on top physically. She must tell herself that, on two or three tracks that she knows well, she will be able to go there with her eyes closed.

With 30 or 40 girls at the start of the descents, only around twenty of whom are competing at a good level, it is entirely possible that she will get into the points. I think she also has the Milan-Cortina Olympics in the back of her mind. For the past five years, however, she has done a lot of free skiing, but she has not been able to train downhill. Unlike Marcel Hirscher, Lindsey stayed further away from ski racing. So I’m quite skeptical and I imagine it to be limited on certain tracks. It remains a big publicity stunt for skiing and a great challenge for her.”

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