Ski Alpin: Law on podium, slowly in training: Vonn pondered at World Cup

Ski Alpin: Law on podium, slowly in training: Vonn pondered at World Cup

Ski alpine
On the podium casual, slowly in training: Vonn pondered at World Cup


Lindsey Venn actually wants to take the World Cup relaxed, without any pressure. The first training sessions make the American think. And she has clear words for critics.

Lindsey Vonn looks up a bit at a loss. Even in the second departure training at the Saalbach -Hinterglemm World Cup, the American is significantly slower than the fastest – such trips do not fit the American self -image. You can tell that the exceptional athlete is pondering what to do before her first World Cup race, the Super-G on Thursday (11.30 a.m./ARD and Eurosport).

Vonn had laughed at the beginning of the week. She sat in front of dozens of reporters and camera teams and spoke about her unexpected World Cup return. “I’m already satisfied,” said the 40-year-old and beamed under her black sponsor hat with the two striking giant bums left and right. “This is the icing on the cake or the cherry.”

Vonn attacking: “Can fight for medal”

Of course, the focus is particularly on the highlight of the season in Saalbach, such a comeback story had never existed in the ski circus. She was out of competitive sports for almost six years, and in early 2024 she got a partial prosthesis on his knee. Under the circumstances, can you actually ride over World Cup podium places? “I am competitive and believe that I can fight for a medal,” said Vonn – before the training.

It is just this self -confidence that led the American to records. There is also a famous feeling for snow and speed. “I haven’t forgotten my skills,” said Vonn. “It’s like cycling. You just remember how to do it and I know exactly what it means to win and what I have to do to win.”

Focus on Olympia 2026 in Cortina

As a declaration of war, she does not want such statements to be understood. And you don’t feel any print. “I don’t have to prove anything to anyone,” she said. “Of course I want the podium. But maybe I’ll be tenth. And honestly, that would be fine too.” Even in tenth place, a lot of time was missing.

Her big, very last sporting goal is the Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo in one year, on one of her favorite routes. “Then there will be expectations. But not here yet,” she said.

Before the World Cup start: Home trip home and celebrate with the dog

When Vonn decided to take a comeback, she hadn’t planned to compete in Saalbach. The idea was to be there as a forerunner or a camera woman for television. But then she amazed at World Cups, especially as fourth and sixth in St. Anton in early January. And already in the US World Cup squad-20 years after her World Cup debut in Santa Caterina in 2005, when some of her current rivals were even toddlers.

She also started the immediate World Cup preparation so cool. In the previous week, Vonn flew back home for a few days, trained there in the weight room and celebrated with one of her dogs when he completed chemotherapy. “It was quite good to have a little break mentally and physically,” said the former World Cup winner, world champion and Olympic champion.

From to Hass criticism before comeback: “Pretty fucked up”

The good mood in front of the journalists briefly evaporated once when she was asked about the sometimes harsh and cautious criticism that ex -drivers had addressed her in autumn. She was attested to her, for example, by the Austrian ski legend Franz Klammer and a “full shot” and psychological help. “I don’t deserve that,” said Vonn – and said that she was because she is a woman.

She recalled the Austrian superstar Marcel Hirscher, who also dared a comeback after almost six years. “Nobody asked Marcel such questions. Nobody asked Marcel whether his life was filled out outside of skiing or whether he needs a therapist. Something like that only came in my direction,” said Vonn and said that that was “pretty fucked up”, pretty shitty.

Shiffrin does without: No US Dream team in combination

So it is also about punishing the critics lies. She would have liked to do that in Saalbach in the team combination together with Mikaela Shiffrin. A duo of the two most successful World Cup drivers would have been unique and a special World Cup highlight-but fails: Shiffrin does without the race due to training deficit after their long injury break.

dpa

Source: Stern

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