Lindsey Vonn once again demonstrated her prowess as the premier downhill racer in the ongoing Olympic season on Saturday.
Securing her second victory in four World Cup downhill races this season, Vonn’s remarkable comeback at the age of 41, post a knee reconstruction with titanium implants, continues to impress. In challenging overcast conditions at Zauchensee, Austria, Vonn outpaced Kajsa Vickhoff Lie by 0.37 seconds. Her elation was evident as she enthusiastically cheered from the leader’s box when her compatriot Jacqueline Wiles clinched third place, trailing by 0.48 seconds.
Despite a shortened course that she completed in under 67 seconds, Vonn reached speeds of 130 kph, marking one of the season’s highest velocities for a female racer.
“It feels amazing. I try to enjoy every single second I am out here because it is just so fun to go fast,” Vonn expressed.
Crossing the finish line with a mix of determination and satisfaction, Vonn celebrated her win with a clenched right fist and affirmative nods.
“I knew what it was going to take to win today,” she remarked. “It was a sprint and I had to give it everything I had, definitely had to risk a little bit.”
Vonn’s triumph further solidifies her position as the oldest race winner in the 60-season history of the World Cup circuit with an 84th career win, extending her record to 45 downhill victories. Following her victory, Vonn connected with her coach Aksel Lund Svindal via a family video call.
As the 2010 Olympic downhill champion, Vonn now eyes the upcoming gold medal race scheduled for February 8 at the Milan Cortina Olympics, a venue where she has historically excelled, including a notable World Cup downhill triumph eight years ago alongside Wiles.
The race day was not without challenges as Austrian skier Magdalena Egger suffered a severe fall, resulting in a season-ending injury. Despite the setbacks, Vonn continues to lead the season-long World Cup downhill standings and is on track to secure her ninth World Cup downhill season title, a decade after her eighth victory.
“I felt like I was skiing better in super-G this summer,” Vonn reflected, “but when I got to the races in St Moritz everything was working really well right from the start.”
Vonn is set to compete in the super-G event on Sunday, anticipated to be held on a longer course compared to the downhill race.