Lindsey Vonn’s skiing comeback has sparked intrigue and admiration, particularly regarding her performance with a half knee prosthesis. After competing in seven races, Vonn’s ability to adapt and excel is evident, especially in contrasting terrains. While she exhibits caution in some runs, her aggressive style returns in others. Despite notable achievements and challenges, Vonn’s unparalleled skiing instincts and confidence raise questions about the current competitive landscape for women in speed disciplines, highlighting the limited growth and persistent injuries within the sport.
Lindsey Vonn’s Comeback: Initial Reactions
When I first heard the buzz about Lindsey Vonn’s return to skiing, I was skeptical. However, the news was confirmed in Sölden, and after watching her initial training video from Copper Mountain, I was genuinely amazed. My curiosity was piqued regarding the implications of her half knee prosthesis. Witnessing her lead the skiing event in Beaver Creek left me in awe; it was an exhilarating moment.
Performance Insights and Comparisons
As of now, Lindsey has competed in seven races. Is she meeting your expectations? I anticipated a tougher time for her in St. Anton, followed by a stronger showing in Cortina. Interestingly, she excelled in St. Anton while facing challenges on flat terrain, which is unusual for her.
In St. Moritz, it seemed like she was approaching her runs with more caution than in the past. However, in Cortina, she reverted to her old style of aggressive turning.
It’s clear that when she accelerates, old risks resurface. Despite her 82 career wins, she has also faced significant falls. In St. Moritz, she displayed a clean run with excellent hip flexion; her upper body was upright while her legs created the necessary angles. Yet, when faced with tight conditions, like in Cortina, she tends to take more risks.
Regardless, her comeback is nothing short of remarkable. What makes Vonn stand out? What allows her to return with such ease after a six-year hiatus?
Vonn possesses an exceptional feel for her skis; her strength lies in her ability to seamlessly transition between turns. Many can execute a good turn, but she has an innate ability to connect those turns precisely, utilizing the ski’s designed radius. This skill is second nature for her. Additionally, her extensive experience on the courses remains invaluable, and it’s surprising that she has achieved these results despite less favorable gliding conditions.
Female skiers often mention the need to reacquaint themselves with their skis after the summer break.
Lindsey required some time to readjust. However, during her training at Copper Mountain, her improvement over just six or seven days was remarkable. Her mindset and attitude also play a crucial role; she consistently expresses confidence in her speed. She conveys a sense of being the best, which is evident when others struggle to navigate sections of the course. When we were both competing, she once told me, “I can ski anything; my concern is with the others.” And she truly meant it.
What does it indicate about the current competitive landscape in women’s speed disciplines when Vonn returns and immediately ranks in the top 15? Every female skier who has trained over the past five years, ranked between 15 and 30, must be questioning their own position.
Lindsey is an extraordinary athlete, making it challenging to draw direct comparisons. If someone like Federer returned after five years and triumphed, would that force others to quit? It’s important to note that her results are still in progress; she hasn’t claimed a podium finish yet, and she has faced two falls. If she secures a world championship, it would raise eyebrows among other competitors, but ultimately, there’s only one Lindsey Vonn.
It’s evident that the competitive density among women isn’t very high; the starting fields in speed events remain small, and the number of elite female racers is comparable to what it was a decade or more ago.
Indeed, the level in speed disciplines hasn’t seen consistent annual growth. The equipment and courses have largely stayed the same. Skiing-wise, I observe that Lara Gut-Behrami performs at a similar level in speed as she did ten years ago. I recall Lindsey’s winning run in 2006 at St. Anton; it would still hold up today in terms of speed and technical skill. While the rest of the field may have closed the gap, many athletes are lost to injuries, with women experiencing more ACL tears than men. This leads to more women opting out of the sport.
When comparing Hirscher’s comeback, it appears more challenging. Is it due to the nature of the disciplines or the higher performance levels among men?
It’s likely a combination of factors. In technical disciplines, starting at number 31 presents a significant challenge, more so than in speed disciplines. In giant slalom, advancing is particularly tough due to the number of competitors, including both speed and slalom specialists. Additionally, slalom demands explosive power, which tends to diminish with age, unlike the qualities required in speed events. While there are fewer women competing, the number of potential winners remains limited. I believe Hirscher would have continued to improve throughout the season, as evidenced by his third-best time in Sölden’s second run, a feat Lindsey has yet to achieve.
From an athletic standpoint, it’s feasible to compete at an older age, as demonstrated by Johan Clarey, who skied until 42. However, the wear and tear of the sport, coupled with the physical demands, raises concerns about injury.
It’s a mix of physical and mental fatigue. Not only do you carry your own burdens, but you also bear the weight of your teammates’ and competitors’ struggles. Eventually, that load can become overwhelming—unless, of course, you’re built differently. Personally, my emotional burden would be too heavy for a comeback. Lindsey, on the other hand, seems to handle it well. I can’t say if she’s free from burdens or simply manages them effortlessly. Her determination must outweigh the weight she carries.
Reflecting on your own career, you once chose not to compete at the end of your journey due to a negative feeling.
At that time, I faced equipment issues and lacked a sense of connection with my skis. Each morning felt reminiscent of a prior injury. I vividly recall a moment in a rescue helicopter when I promised myself that if I ever felt that way again, I’d step back. I had ignored my instincts before, leading to injury. In this sport, pushing boundaries is essential; the body might protest, but you must persevere. It’s a constant battle of pushing through versus listening to those warning signs, a delicate balance that is challenging to navigate.
How do you discern the right moment to heed that inner voice?
It often takes experiencing a few injuries to reach that understanding. How can you know your limits if you’ve never tested them? I’ve had my share of injuries, which helped me recognize those critical moments. Thankfully, those moments have been few and far between.
Is there a growing emphasis on personal responsibility in skiing? Alongside your own experience, Lara Gut-Behrami also faced challenges when she skied out after the…