The queen of Alpine Skiing Lindsey Vonn entered the ladies’ super-G on Tuesday, knowing that the downhill race on Sunday will be the last race of her illustrous career. Unfortunately, the super-G did not finish the way Vonn and the crowds hoped. Lindsey came out of position in the upper part of the course and crashed into the safety nets. Eventually, a cheering audience saw her get up, seemingly unharmed, and ski down to the finish area to receive standing ovations.
At the post-race press conference Vonn admitted that the last few weeks after the Cortina World Cup had been tough as she decided that Åre 2019 would be the end of her successful career. In Cortina, she wanted to call it quits right there and then, but then decided to come to Åre to say her goodbye’s to her fans who have supported her since her debut on the world stage.
She indicated that the many messages of love she has received “have made it easier for her to leave the World Cup and the top level of alpine skiing”.
Åre is special for Lindsey and she loves Sweden. She won her very first World Championships medals in Åre in 2007 and also recorded her career's final World Cup victory in Åre last March when she won the downhill at the Finals.
When asked whether she could race the downhill on Sunday, she stated:
“Don’t count me out yet, I can still win on Sunday”.
Vonn’s family will be on site for the ladies’ downhill, her final race in Åre and her career, and she also hopes that the Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark will be there to witness her farewells from the alpine stage.
Vonn did not disclose her plans for the future other than revealing that she has a new business project ongoing but did not provide further details. Whatever it might be, Vonn said she will put just the same amount of energy into it as she has invested in alpine skiing.
What will you miss most about skiing on elite level?
“I will miss the adrenaline rush of speeding down the hill and pushing my limits. But it isn’t worth the risk anymore. I want to have kids in the future and have the opportunity to ski with my children. That’s why it’s important to quit at this point,” said Lindsey Vonn.