US ski great Lindsey Vonn is targeting a competitive return at the age of 40
EZRA SHAW
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US ski great Lindsey Vonn will target a return to World Cup racing aged 40 in St Moritz next month, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) confirmed.
FIS told SID, AFP’s German sports subsidiary, that the US ski federation had requested a “wild card” from organisers of the event in Switzerland to allow Vonn to compete in two super-G races on December 21 and 22.
Vonn left the sport in 2019 after a series of major injuries but she has been free of pain since a right knee replacement in April.
The former Olympic and world champion can benefit from a new invitation system that allows former stars to return to the world circuit after years away from competition and to have better starting positions.
Vonn will however have to ski in competition before the St Moritz stage, since she must lower her number of FIS points sufficiently before mid-December to be authorised to return to the World Cup.
She could line up for the Super-G races scheduled for December 11 and 12 in Panorama, Canada, which should allow her to participate 10 days later in St Moritz.
Vonn was the most decorated women’s skier with 82 World Cup victories when she retired. Her mark has since been eclipsed by fellow American Mikaela Shiffrin’s 98.
She recorded her first World Cup victory in 2004 and won three Olympic medals — including downhill gold in 2010.
Vonn also won 20 World Cup titles, including four overall crystal globes, eight world championship medals and secured 137 World Cup podiums.
The next Winter Olympics take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2026.
