Winter Olympics 2023: Vonn’s Return & Queen’s Health Update

Lindsey Vonn wouldn’t be Lindsey Vonn if the last leg of her remarkable journey didn’t contain a lot of drama. The ski queen is back in her dream place. In Cortina d’Ampezzo, where she had so many formative experiences and no one has won as often as her, the American wants to finally refine her already dazzling career. Vonn could be the big star of these Winter Olympics in Italy. Provided the knee holds up.

Violent fall last Friday

The 41-year-old last said she was doing her “best” after her fall in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. The ski world held its breath when the long-time speed queen fell and flew into a safety net on the last descent before the games from February 6th to 22nd. Vonn skied to the finish, but was then transported away by helicopter. She said she was injured in her left knee. She left it open how difficult.

The pictures also provided enough material for the next possible heroine story. Vonn, the fighter. After her fantastic World Cup comeback, will she strike back again? On the biggest stage in world sport. If her knee holds up, she will be the big favorite in the Olympic downhill on Sunday (11:30 a.m.).

Speed Queen even outshines Shiffrin

Vonn has already celebrated twelve victories in Cortina d’Ampezzo. When she ventured down the famous Olimpia delle Tofane slope for the first time in the World Cup in January 2002, many of her current competitors, such as German hopeful Emma Aicher (22), had not yet been born.

In 2004, Vonn raced onto the podium for the first time in third place in the downhill race in the Dolomites. A drastic experience, as she reported. From then on she was really convinced that she could compete with the best in the world – and became the best herself for a long time. Olympic gold in 2010 in Canada, two World Cup titles, four overall World Cup victories – Vonn, the dominator.

Her 84 World Cup successes to date have been surpassed by compatriot Mikaela Shiffrin (108). But not your radiance. Vonn, the superstar. More than 2.5 million followers on Instagram, high-paying advertising contracts, a cover story in “Time” magazine. Vonn electrifies. And it polarizes.

Neureuther raves about the “goddess”

When she returned to the World Cup in December 2024 after a break of almost six years, the American had to take a lot of criticism – and from some experts it was borderline criticism. That was stressful, explained Vonn. But also an incentive. By the time she came second in the last race of the preseason in Sun Valley, it was clear: the speed queen is back.

And how. So far this winter, Vonn, whose coaching staff includes former Norwegian top rider Aksel Lund Svindal, has been in impressive form. In downhill and super-G, she raced to two victories and five more podium finishes. She was a “goddess,” exclaimed enthusiastic former ski star Felix Neureuther after Vonn’s triumph in St. Moritz in mid-December.

Fifth Winter Games for Vonn

Well, just before the games open on Friday, so the setback. Vonn, who has been plagued by many injuries throughout her career, already drives with a partial knee prosthesis. The right one, however. This time it’s about the left. Will it possibly shattered her dream of a crowning career?

Vonn said she probably wouldn’t have dared to make her much-noticed comeback if the games – already her fifth – hadn’t taken place in Cortina d’Ampezzo. This picturesque place in the Dolomites is very special for her, explained the oldest World Cup winner in Alpine history. Something always draws her back there. In this case, maybe a little satisfaction too. But definitely the greed for gold.