Lindsey Vonn exits Alpine skiing world championships after gate mishap

In Austria, on February 6, 2025, Lindsey Vonn participated in her opening race at the Alpine skiing world championships but faced an unfortunate incident. Vonn, returning to competitive skiing after nearly six years of retirement, attempted to manage a super-G course. During her descent down the 2.1km-long Uli Maier course, she hooked a gate with her right arm not long after the first intermediary. This accident occurred despite her continuing to compete while battling cold and flu-like symptoms. The collision with the gate caused her to briefly lose feeling in her arm, leaving her with the challenge to complete her run. Despite the injury scare and the early exit from the race, Vonn managed to ski down to the finish line and waved to the spectators. Her resilience was acknowledged by the crowd, who showed their support with a rousing welcome. Vonn emphasized that she did not want to stay in bed for six years just to miss the opportunity to compete, reflecting her determination to overcome adversities related to her health and return to the sport she loves. Following her race, Vonn joined her teammate Lauren Macuga for the podium celebration after Macuga secured a bronze medal, a highlight that Vonn expressed pride in. This championship marks Vonn's ninth participation in world championships, an event that was particularly challenging as it is the first time in several years since her last, which ended in a bronze medal win in 2019. Vonn has been focusing on her comeback goals, especially with the 2026 Winter Olympics in mind, held in Milan-Cortina, Italy. She is aiming to build on her existing accolades, including two gold medals and a total of eight world championship medals and hopes that despite the setback in her opening race, she will succeed in future events. As the event progressed, Stephanie Venier was crowned the winner of the super-G race, clocking in a time of 1 minute 20.47 seconds, with notable contention from Federica Brignone in second place. However, Vonn's incident generated significant media attention and concern among the spectators, proving the unpredictability and risks involved in competitive sports such as Alpine skiing. Vonn's courage in the face of adversity remains an inspirational story, particularly as she navigates her comeback journey in the sport, despite the challenges posed by her health and the physical demands of competition.