Lindsey Vonn faced another setback on her World Cup skiing comeback as strong winds and poor visibility led to the cancellation of her second race at age 40, which was scheduled for December 17, 2023, at the Corviglia course in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
The highly anticipated race was her chance to improve her ranking after she finished 14th on December 16 during her first competition back after nearly six years of retirement. Although Vonn showcased resilience, it was unfortunate weather conditions combined to spoil her second chance at competition.
Her first race on Saturday marked Vonn’s return to the circuit, and she had to overcome initial timing issues at the start but eventually became competitive with the top-five finishers along the rest of the course. "It took her 20 seconds to get back to it, and then she was fine," stated Chris Knight, Vonn's personal coach, underscoring her capability amid competitive pressures.
Despite her 14th place finish not being the outcome she hoped for, Knight expressed optimism about Vonn's performance goals for the remainder of the season. "She'd like to be in the top 15 later in the season," he remarked, emphasizing the importance of accumulating points for improved starting positions at future races.
With another super-G race scheduled for Sunday taken off the calendar, Vonn now won’t return to racing until the next speed weekend planned for January 11-12, 2024, at St. Anton, Austria. This speed weekend will host both downhill and super-G races, marking another significant opportunity for Vonn to build momentum.
After St. Anton, she intends to compete again at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, as part of her strategic preparation aimed at qualifying for the world championships taking place in Saalbach, Austria, next February. Vonn remains focused on her objectives, with the next couple of races being integral for her overall performance storyline.
At this juncture, she is heading back home to Miami for the holidays, before returning to Europe for training early next year. There are plans to resume nearly full speed weekend competition afterwards, contingent on her readiness and the outcomes of her training sessions. Knight noted, "We don't have time to schedule couple of races later on before finals, but we'll see how it goes. It’s all moving quickly now."
While the World Cup circuit is fraught with challenges for returning athletes like Vonn, her determination and competitive spirit remain strong amid the hurdles of weather and ranking dynamics. Vonn's long-awaited comeback reflects both her legacy and her commitment to skiing at the highest levels, serving as inspiration to many fans and young athletes.
