Aspen, CO – Taking a mighty stride that has pushed fans and the skiing fraternity into a gleeful frenzy, America’s most decorated skier Lindsey Vonn announced she would be hitting the slopes once again after five years of absence. Returning after having already announced retirement, Olympic gold medalist and four-time World Cup champion Vonn is a critical juncture in Alpine Skiing as she once again prepares to reenter the fray at the highest level of the sport she dominated for more than a decade.
Retired competitive skier Vonn, 39 now, retired in 2019 due to chronic injuries that had been affecting her performance and placed her at risk of long-term health-related issues. Her career was a long line of setbacks. She had done multiple knee surgeries but could not stop coming back as she went on to win 82 races in the World Cup, four short of Ingemar Stenmark’s record. Now rejuvenated and focused, Vonn claims she is ready to hit the slopes with a new perception and drive.
Vonn admits that she never considered being back here, but the ski racing is a part of her that she cannot let go of. “I worked incredibly hard to get healthy, and I’m stronger and more mentally prepared than ever,” she says. “I’m excited to see what I can accomplish and just to be back doing what I love.”.
Only her return will make noise all over the world; the fans will eagerly wait if Vonn can regain their position in the sport’s elite again. A schedule and individual race event details are not disclosed, but she gave a hint that she would concentrate on downhill and super-G-a couple of specialties of hers.
Vonn has been welcomed back with positive attitudes by most of the athletes and the U.S. Ski Team. They are welcoming Lindsey with open arms because she is to them a competitor as well as a mentor to early-stage skiers. “Lindsey’s return is huge for our sport,” said Tiger Shaw, CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “She’s an icon and an inspiration to so many, and we’re thrilled to see her back in action”.
Still, she has accumulated enough excitement for her competitive return, and Vonn has been clear this time that it would be an approach different from the past, with even greater appreciation for health and enjoyment in sports, and not being driven by record-breaking behavior. Be it howsoever the result may finally turn out to be, her comeback is apt to be a chapter in the already legendary career of the lady of skiing, sure to rekindle passion and excitement once again among fans of skiing across the globe.
