Alpine Ski World Cup
Vonn races to victory: demonstration of power by the ski “goddess”
Lindsey Vonn pulverizes the competition in the first descent of the season. Tears flow after their historic success in St. Moritz. Felix Neureuther enthuses. The Olympic favorite has been found.
Lindsey Vonn quickly greeted her critics, Felix Neureuther couldn’t stop being amazed. Ski superstar Vonn started the final season of her career with a fabulous run and a huge point of caution to the competition. The American not only won her first World Cup victory in St. Moritz in almost eight years, but also in a league of her own. The 41-year-old was a “goddess,” exclaimed Neureuther enthusiastically. The strong results of the German ski racers also faded.
Emma Aicher came fifth in the first downhill run of the season, her teammate Kira Weidle-Winkelmann eighth. There are two real encouragements for the Winter Olympics in Italy in just under two months. But the big show came at the speed opening in Switzerland from the long-time alpine dominator. Vonn’s 83rd World Cup victory was a demonstration of power.
Neureuther was thrilled
The four-time overall World Cup winner put almost a second between herself and the second-placed Austrian Magdalena Egger. “It’s unbelievable,” said former ski star Neureuther as a TV expert on ARD. “That was one of the best things I’ve ever seen in my entire life.” And she wasn’t even 100 percent clean, explained the beaming Vonn herself.
At the finish, the 2010 Olympic downhill champion initially dropped into the snow. When she got up again, she gave a little squeal of joy and waved at the camera. Later, when she was handed a cell phone in the interview area, she began to cry. Vonn not only had a fantastic ride, but also, as usual, showed great emotions.
Historic victory as an announcement to the critics
Vonn said she took all the criticism as motivation. During her comeback last winter, she was verbally attacked by several former ski greats. With this victory, the first in the World Cup since her triumph in Are, Sweden in March 2018, she struck back impressively. From returnee to big favorite for the Olympic Games in February – it can happen that quickly.
She is pushing boundaries, said Neureuther about what is now by far the oldest World Cup winner in alpine history. Former Norwegian ski star Aksel Lund Svindal, who has been part of her coaching staff since the summer, hugged Vonn with relief after the race. It seems as if a new dream combination has been found with “Team Lundsey”. As if Vonn could actually fulfill her wish of another Olympic medal.
Vonn drives with a partial knee replacement
In any case, Vonn’s memorable and historic appearance eight weeks before the Winter Games should give the competition something to think about. Despite her advanced age for a competitive athlete and a partial knee prosthesis with which she now drives, the American, who has already suffered so many injuries in her career, appears fitter than she has been in a long time – and therefore almost unstoppable. Not even on Saturday? Vonn said she was excited herself.
When the second downhill run of the winter takes place in St. Moritz, Vonn will be the one to beat. Then the goddess becomes the hunted.
dpa
