Lindsey Vonn returns to World Cup podium with runner-up finish in Sun Valley
The 40-year-old became the oldest female Alpine skier to notch a World Cup podium
John Locher/AP photo
Lindsey Vonn’s comeback reached a new high on Sunday in Sun Valley.
The 40-year-old — who returned to the World Cup after retiring in 2019 — placed second in the super-G at the World Cup Finals. Vonn blazed down the Challenger slope in 1 minute, 13.64 seconds to sneak past Federica Brignone (1:13.68) as Lara Gut-Behrami took the 1.29-second victory, claiming her record sixth super-G globe in the process.
“I finally put all the pieces together,” Vonn told FIS media. “This season there’s been glimpses of good skiing, but I always made a mistake here or there. But today it was enough to get on the podium.”
Going from bib No. 17, Vonn was just ninth at the first time check. She put together a scintillating final two sectors, however, to move past Brignone, who came into the race leading the season standings by five points.
“It wasn’t a perfect run but at least I didn’t make mistakes like I have this season,” Vonn continued. “And this is where I knew I can be: I know I have the speed.”
Support Local Journalism
Gut-Behrami put on a masterclass, skiing the second-fastest opening section and recording the quickest times for the final three splits to claim her 24th World Cup super-G victory. Only Vonn (28) has more in the event.
“Two days ago, I finally found the happiness again on skis,” Gut-Behrami told The Associated Press. “It’s easier to ski fast when you’re enjoying what you’re doing. I’ve been looking for that the entire season.”
Brignone already sealed the downhill globe before Saturday’s race, which Vonn was also qualified for, when it was canceled. The 34-year-old Italian came to Sun Valley well-positioned to claim four globes — overall, super-G, downhill and GS — but will have to settle for second to Gut-Behrami in the super-G for the fourth time in five years.
“(Gut-Behrami) has been the best super-G skier, for me, ever. … I really admire her so much,” Brignone told FIS. “I think it was almost impossible to beat her today.”
Vonn finished 13th in the super-G standings after claiming her 138th-career podium — and first since March 15, 2018. She became the oldest woman to stand on a World Cup Alpine ski podium ever and is within one World Cup start (409) of tying Austrian Renate Goetschl for the most by a female racer.
“As much as I love skiing, it’s been a hard road,” Vonn told The Associated Press. “I just continue to prove that anything is possible. I’ve been knocked down so many times in my life personally, physically, mentally, beat down and I always pick myself back up. It’s not always easy.”
All eyes on Cortina
Vonn told The Associated Press prior to the World Cup Finals that her entire comeback has been building toward the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina next February.
“This season is literally just a test run and a trial run to see what I can do,” Vonn told reporter Pat Graham. “Just try to get the kinks worked out so that next year will be hopefully more like it used to be and more of a routine.”
While she lacked the requisite points required to compete on home soil at Beaver Creek in December, the Minnesota-born Ski and Snowboard Club Vail alumna acted as forerunner at the Birds of Prey World Cup. She was 14th in her first race back, a super-G in St. Moritz. That was followed by a sixth in the downhill on Jan. 11 and a fourth in the super-G the following day in St. Anton. Even though the pain from repeated injuries forced her to retire in 2019, Vonn said she hasn’t once used ice on her knee this season.
“It’s surreal to really think about where I was before my surgery and where I am now. I was living a completely different life, and I was just trying to get rid of my pain. And now I’m back trying to make it to the Olympics next year,” she continued to AP. “I’m physically in such a better place. I feel so good and it makes me a lot happier. My life is just really good right now.”
Vonn — who recently took a break from training to attend Paris Fashion Week — won’t lay low for long after the season concludes. The Associated Press reported that she plans to head over to Europe to continue testing her Head ski equipment. The three-time Olympic medalist hopes to add to her legacy next year in Cortina, where she’s accumulated 12 of her 82 World Cup wins.
“Cortina is one of my favorite places, so that’s the carrot that was dangling in front of me,” Vonn said. “As soon as that’s gone, then I can go back to skiing some powder and playing tennis and living the life that I’ve been living for the last six years.”
After Sunday’s silver, it’s clear the speed skiing legend should not be overlooked.
“She’s Lindsey Vonn,” Brignone said. “She’s not somebody coming back from another injury. She has qualities and she’s an amazing champion. Today, she put all the pieces (together) and did an amazing race.”
“It’s really emotional because as much as I love this journey, it has not been an easy one,” Vonn told FIS media on Sunday. “Today makes it all worth it.”
