Return of the speed queen: Titan in the knee, victories in the head: Vonn’s miraculous ski comeback

Lindsey Vonn grins broadly as she formulates her declaration of war. “My plan is very clear to get back to where I was before,” says the 40-year-old before her miraculous World Cup return. 2,141 days after her last elite race to date and with an artificial knee joint, the former speed queen is back at the start in St. Moritz this weekend. The astonishing comeback is a coup for the Ski World Cup – and for Vonn herself it is much more than a PR stunt or occupational therapy.

Is being there everything? Not for Vonn. “I’m excited to be back, but I definitely have goals and expectations,” she said with sparkling eyes a week ago in Beaver Creek. One thing is clear: Vonn has podiums, victories and medals on his mind.

Rebensburg believes Vonn can do great things

“I trust her to be at the top again over the course of the season – once she has a few kilometers of racing in her,” says Viktoria Rebensburg. The once best German ski racer competed alongside Vonn in World Cups and major events for years. As a Eurosport expert, she watched closely last weekend how Vonn performed as a forerunner in the downhill and super-G in Beaver Creek. “It looked really good – and it wasn’t an easy descent. She went on the attack and even had a few reserves here and there,” Rebensburg told the German Press Agency.

An official result was not measured for Vonn. According to reports and hand-timed times, she would probably have ended up in the top ten in the downhill. Rebensburg therefore believes in her former ski rival. “Places in the top 5 or on the podium are definitely possible for her this winter. And if she really feels comfortable again, possibly victories too.”

And how Vonn is currently feeling. “Everyone is saying: Oh my God, you’re so happy,” said the Olympic champion and former world champion and explained: “Yes, I don’t have pain 24 hours a day either. It’s wonderful. I feel stronger than in my own Mid and late twenties.”

Since tearing her cruciate ligament in 2013, she has suffered further injuries almost every year, recalled Vonn. “I made it through all the injuries because I love skiing. No injury ever held me back – until I finally broke.” After winning bronze at the 2019 World Cup, she retired – as the 2010 Olympic champion, two-time world champion and 82-time World Cup winner.

Last February she had an artificial knee joint inserted. “I was put back together,” she said with a smile. “I know what I can do when my body cooperates. And this titanium piece works quite well.”

Neureuther cannot understand criticism of the comeback

Vonn has always been an extroverted athlete – and of course she enjoys being the center of attention again. The fact that her US teammate Mikaela Shiffrin, the biggest alpine star of the moment, is currently missing due to an injury has brought the old champion even more into focus. Critics accuse Vonn of seeking recognition and criticized the sensational comeback.

Felix Neureuther sees it completely differently. “That doesn’t do justice to someone who has given so much to this sport. It’s solely her decision,” the German World Cup record winner told the dpa and emphasized: “Skiing needs stories – and this is one. We’re happy “We hope that such a grande dame returns and that everything goes well.”

Another record for the American?

Rebensburg agrees with him. “Such a comeback is great for skiing because it is getting more attention again and the focus is on good and exciting topics again – unfortunately that has not always been the case in recent years,” she says. “Lindsey is sure to attract more people in front of the television again.”

When Vonn – then still known as Lindsey Kildow – made her World Cup debut in a slalom in Park City in November 2000, some of her future opponents had not yet been born – including the German Emma Aicher.

Incidentally, in the World Cup there has never been a woman older than 34 who raced onto the podium. Does Vonn have a record? “I never stopped believing in myself. I haven’t my entire life,” she said. “And I won’t now.”