SUN VALLEY, Idaho (AP) — Lindsey Vonn is leaving Sun Valley with mixed emotions proud of her second-place finish but deeply concerned for her beloved dog.
Her 9-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Lucy, is suffering from kidney failure, and the prognosis isn’t good. Vonn planned to return to her home in Utah to be with Lucy. “I’ve got to figure it out,” she told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “I need all the luck I can get.”
Vonn, 40, wrapped up her comeback season on Sunday with a runner-up finish in the super-G, her first World Cup podium since March 2018. She had retired in 2019 after winning a downhill bronze at the world championships, largely due to knee issues. However, a partial knee replacement last year made her return to competitive skiing possible. After an exhausting season, she had been looking forward to a beach getaway in the Bahamas, but Lucy’s condition changed those plans.
Lucy has been a constant travel companion, accompanying Vonn to ski venues worldwide. Just three months ago in Copper Mountain, Colorado, Lucy rested inside a warm lodge while Vonn trained. Vonn also brought her other dog, Leo, to Sun Valley. In November, she revealed on Instagram that Leo had been diagnosed with cancer. Fortunately, he’s doing well. “Leo’s doing really good,” Vonn said. “He’s here, and he’s happy.”
Sunday’s emotional finish in Sun Valley left Vonn in tears, tears of joy, relief, and pride. She compared the moment to her gold-medal-winning downhill run at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. “Even just thinking about it, I get emotional,” she said.
Remarkably, Vonn ended the season without major aches or pain in her titanium-supported right knee. Her back is a little sore, but she considers that normal. She’s still processing her return to the podium, making her the oldest female Alpine skier to do so by nearly six years.
“It feels great,” Vonn said. “I always knew I could do it… I think people saw on Sunday how much it meant to me. I love this sport and appreciate everyone who has supported me.”
Looking ahead, Vonn plans to return to Europe for equipment testing as the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics approach. With more time to properly train and prepare, she’s excited for what’s next. “One of the biggest reasons I love ski racing is that you have to perform when the stakes are highest,” she said. “That skill set hasn’t gone away, and it gives me a lot of confidence for next year.”
Be the first to comment