That's it! She's back. Lindsey Vonn resumed her career this Saturday in St. Moritz. And not just anyhow. After leaving the circuit in February 2019 at the Are Worlds following numerous injuries, the 40-year-old American champion once again amazed everyone. Despite questions about her level and doubts as she underwent an operation this spring to replace part of her right knee with a titanium prosthesis, she finished 14th in the Super G, impressing the gallery. “It’s a completely successful comeback. And crazy after six years of absence“, appreciates our consultant Margot Bailet. “Crazy” because it augurs beautiful things. Very beautiful even.
For her first race in so many years away from the World Cup, Lindsey Vonn was not in optimal conditions. Logically. You don't come back from such a long absence with the same feelings. There are a few obstacles to overcome in particular. And it still showed this Saturday morning. “I felt really good. But I wanted to finish today and not take too many risks, admitted the American with 82 World Cup victories. It wasn't the day to do anything special. The track was a little bumpy during my visit. So on certain sections, I was more conservative with my trajectories. But on some, I was really fast. It's not there yet but I'm really not far from the mark“.
The further she goes down, the more she releases her ski. She does incredible sequences
Throughout the slope, Lindsey Vonn demonstrated that she had lost none of her elegant style and her efficient way of skiing. To the point of competing with the best in certain sections. “We saw his face at first, she was still tense. And she does the 46th time at the top. On a plate when you're a little tense, it's really expensive. But afterward, the further she went down, the more she released her ski. She does incredible sequences. And besides, in the two tactical sequences where you have to be really smart, she made her experience speak for itself. And she signs inters where she is four and five“, explains Margot Bailet.
One thing is certain in any case: Lindsey Vonn enjoyed this Saturday. Twenty years after her first World Cup victory, the 2010 Olympic downhill champion did not hide her happiness as she flashed a big smile in the finish area. “It's just nice to have that stress relief, to have the butterflies in your stomach and the adrenaline. I always felt like it was just me against the mountain, and I love that feeling“, she said happily. Also delighted to have made a date.
Vonn: “Tomorrow will be better”
After this first race full of promise, the American will indeed be one to follow closely this Sunday and during her next outings. Because on Saturday, she broke certain barriers. “Tomorrow (editor's note: Sunday), she will do even better because she has gained confidence. It can only get better. The first race after a long absence is tough. Everything happens quickly. And there is pressure, says Margot Bailet. This is already the case after an absence of a year following an injury, so here, after six years…She will be more and more dangerous as the races go on and will play up front.“
An impression confirmed by Vonn: “I was a little stressed. A little agitated. (…) But tomorrow, it will be better. The first is always the hardest because you have to take the plunge. (…) It’s the perfect start in my eyes. And I can't wait to improve in the next races.” ” Plus there, it was in Super G. But for me, it's downhill where it will perform the best“, adds our consultant. This is promising.
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