Lindsey Vonn had the role of opener during the first downhill of the winter on Saturday at Beaver Creek. The athlete with 82 World Cup victories showed that she was still competitive, 5 years after her retirement.
On Saturday, after leading the way on the “Birds of Prey”, Vonn visibly appreciated the applause in the finish area. She was celebrated at length by her many fans, who gave her a euphoric welcome, almost as if the 40-year-old American had just won the race.
This was not (yet) the case for the one whose last competition at this level dates back to February 2019. But unsurprisingly, her return was closely observed, even if it was not officially timed.
Revealing slip
His descent, broadcast in full by television channels, was visually impeccable. And even very fast, as everyone who kept the clock could see. Lindsey Vonn did not concede more than a second to the winner, the Austrian Cornelia Hütter. The American would undoubtedly have ranked 9th, between the Obwalden Michelle Gisin and the Italian Federica Brignone.
“It was really a great race“, she said at the SRF microphone, before immediately correcting her slip. “Well, it wasn’t a race. But for me, at the finish, with this great atmosphere, it was almost like a race.”
The American said she was very grateful to have had this opportunity as an opener. “I haven’t given a hundred percent yet, but I’ve already put more pressure than in the first few training runs“, she added.
“Cross your fingers!”
The next step is therefore clear for the four-time overall winner of the World Cup. Next weekend, Vonn will make her return to the World Cup in St. Moritz during the two super-Gs planned in Engadine.
“I’m ready for my return. It might take me a few races to get back into the right rhythm, but I think I’m ready. Everything is as before and seems normal to me. Cross your fingers for me!“, she said during another interview with Austrian television.
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