Lindsey Vonn’s eagerly anticipated return to the Alpine World Ski Championships culminated prematurely after a collision during the super-G event on Thursday.
On Thursday, Lindsey Vonn made her highly anticipated return to the Alpine World Ski Championships. The event marked her first appearance in six years, following her retirement in 2019. Vonn, now 40, was competing in Austria, a comeback fueled by her recent partial knee replacement surgery. Despite a promising start, Vonn’s race took an unexpected turn when she aggressively approached a gate, resulting in a collision. Although she managed to remain upright, the impact caused discomfort in her arm, leaving her shaking it off post-collision.
Vonn addressed the incident, stating through ESPN, “I am OK. I hit my nerve somehow and I hit the gate and lost feeling in my arm, but it’s coming back slowly.” Her quote provided reassurance to fans who witnessed the high-speed collision during the broadcast, yet were left concerned seeing her in discomfort.
Prior to the event, Vonn expressed her excitement on social media, particularly Instagram, sharing how grateful she felt for the opportunity to return to world championships. She also mentioned battling a slight illness, but her determination overshadowed any setbacks. Vonn, a decorated athlete with three Winter Olympic medals, including a downhill gold in 2010, along with eight world championship medals and 82 World Cup victories, had previously cited her body’s limitations as a reason for stepping away from the sport. However, the successful knee surgery reignited her passion for skiing, encouraging her comeback.
Despite Thursday’s setback, Vonn looks forward to competing in the upcoming downhill event, determined not to let the recent incident deter her spirit. “I didn’t wait six years to stay in bed because I’m sick. I’m going to be out there and having fun,” Vonn stated. She remains focused on savoring her time on the slopes, considering this weekend’s event another opportunity to showcase her resilience and dedication.
Lindsey Vonn’s collision at the Alpine World Ski Championships has not diminished her resolve. Fans and admirers will anticipate her performance in the forthcoming downhill event this weekend.
