Lindsey Vonn battles age to reclaim her competitive edge in ski racing

In the United States, Lindsey Vonn, a celebrated ski racer, made her return to competitive skiing at Copper Mountain, Colorado, after a lengthy absence due to injury and surgery. Recently, she participated in a series of lower-level downhill and super-G races, finishing 24th and 19th, which marked a significant step in her comeback journey at 40 years old. Vonn was approximately 2.19 seconds behind the leader in the first race and 2.06 seconds in the second race, demonstrating her progress as she adjusts to skiing with a new titanium knee and fine-tunes her equipment. This marked Vonn's first series of races since her last major competition in February 2019, where she secured a third-place finish in a downhill race during the world championships in Sweden. After the lengthy hiatus, Vonn emphasized that she was pleased with her performance and felt closer to competitive form than expected given the minimal training time since her injury. She underscored her personal satisfaction in returning to the slopes, stating, "I'm just happy to be here," despite the competitive challenges she faces. Vonn's comeback is particularly noteworthy as she now holds sufficient points to qualify for entry into World Cup races, despite not being ready to compete in the upcoming weekend events at Beaver Creek. Her participation in this level of competition is significant, as she aims to reconnect with the elite skiing community that she has been part of throughout her career. Vonn highlighted her commitment to the training routines, including early morning sessions dedicated to her craft. Additionally, Vonn addressed the increased regulations and protocols that come with returning from retirement, including rejoining drug-testing pools managed by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the United States Anti-Doping Agency. The former champion concluded the event by interacting with young ski racers, signing memorabilia and sharing her excitement for the future. The event served as a celebration of her resilience and ongoing passion for the sport as she embarks on this new chapter of her athletic career.