Lindsey Vonn has answered her critics in emphatic fashion, making an eye-catching return to World Cup downhill racing at the age of 41.
Dismissed by some as reckless or misguided for attempting a comeback with a titanium knee, Vonn instead dominated the opening speed weekend of the Olympic season. She won the first downhill in St. Moritz by nearly a full second, collected the most points of any skier over three days, and looked calmer and more controlled than many competitors half her age.
Vonn said the doubts and criticism only fuel her motivation, insisting that negative comments push her to work harder and perform better. Among the most vocal skeptics last year were former champions who questioned her mental state and decision to return to such a dangerous sport, where athletes race down icy slopes at extreme speeds with minimal protection.
On Friday, Vonn became the oldest World Cup winner in history, punctuating her victory with a playful “night, night” gesture popularized by NBA star Stephen Curry. Her performance even drew praise from LeBron James, who joked that “40+ is the new 20.”
Italian star Sofia Goggia acknowledged Vonn’s dominance, saying she “took everyone to school.” Goggia later doubled down on the remark by posing with a pacifier beside Vonn. The American followed up her win with a second-place finish in another downhill despite a major error, and fourth in the super-G, ending the weekend with 230 points more than any other racer.
The strong results have prompted Vonn to rethink her retirement plans. Rather than stepping away immediately after the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February, she is now considering racing through the end of the World Cup season in March. Her coach, Chris Knight, believes her improved fitness, refined equipment setup, and added muscle mass make sustained success realistic, provided her workload and recovery are carefully managed.
Vonn will compete in downhill and super-G at the Olympics and also hopes to take part in the new team combined event. A potential partnership with slalom star Mikaela Shiffrin who has already won all three slaloms this season could create a formidable pairing in Cortina d’Ampezzo, where Vonn owns a record 12 World Cup victories.
Adding to her support team this season is former Olympic champion Aksel Lund Svindal, whose calm presence has helped steady Vonn before races. She credits his experience and composure with giving her confidence at the start gate.
For now, Vonn’s comeback has silenced many doubts and she seems more motivated than ever to keep proving people wrong.
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