Lindsey Vonn’s return to the Ski World Cup is becoming concrete: the US association has applied for a wildcard for the 40-year-old in the Super-G races on December 21st and 22nd in St. Moritz, as has the world association FIS confirmed to the SRF. After Marcel Hirscher, Vonn would be the second ex-ski star to return to the World Cup stage after a break of several years.
Just like the Salzburger, Vonn announced her retirement from the Alpine circus five years ago. Until her comeback in the World Cup, Vonn will compete in smaller FIS races in North America – on the one hand, to obtain the necessary permission to start in the World Cup, and on the other hand, her artificial knee joint will be subjected to its first racing tests. At the World Cup speed opener in Beaver Creek (December 14th and 15th), the four-time overall World Cup winner and eight-time downhill shot winner is aiming to start as a forerunner.
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Some former stars are critical of Vonn’s comeback. Franz Bracket, for example, spoke of a “full shot” from the American, while her former rival Michaela Dorfmeister recently said in the NÖN: “She should see a psychologist. Her desire for recognition is probably huge.” Former Swiss ski racer Sonja Nef told “Blick”: “No surgeon in the world would say that what Lindsey is doing is intelligent.”
Comebacks are fashionable in skiing. Videos by Marlies and Benjamin Raich, which show the couple doing a parallel slalom, reinforced this impression on social media. They were commented with: “Something is happening here at the moment. I’m looking forward to revealing more soon.” This fueled rumors about a possible return of Austria’s parade ski pair. However, it is more likely that the impression of a possible comeback is being played with in order to increase attention for a new advertising partnership.
What is certain is that women’s and men’s slalom will be held in Gurgl this weekend.
