Lindsey Vonn, at the age of 41, has made significant gains in her physical preparation for the upcoming Olympic racing season. With 12 additional pounds of muscle, refined equipment, and the guidance of a new top-tier coach, Vonn showcased her enhanced prowess by dominating the initial official downhill training session of the season.
Expressing her confidence at a news conference in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Vonn declared that she is currently in peak physical condition and free from any bodily discomfort. Returning to skiing last season after a six-year hiatus and undergoing knee surgery involving the insertion of titanium components, Vonn experienced a mixed performance, culminating in a second-place finish in a super-G event in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Driven by the objective of bolstering her strength during the summer, Vonn revealed that she diligently worked to pack on 12 pounds of muscle, a feat she accomplished through rigorous training and unwavering dietary discipline. Looking ahead to the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, Vonn aims to compete in three events: downhill, super-G, and the newly introduced team combined race.
Renowned for her exceptional track record, Vonn holds the World Cup records for most downhill wins and super-G victories, alongside securing the third spot in all-time World Cup victories. During the recent downhill training session in St. Moritz, Vonn outperformed her competitors, finishing ahead of Kajsa Vickhoff Lie and Sofia Goggia by 0.59 and 0.71 seconds, respectively.
Anticipating a series of upcoming speed weekends leading to the Olympics, Vonn has enlisted the expertise of former overall World Cup champion Aksel Lund Svindal as part of her coaching team. The rigorous competition schedule includes stops in Val d’Isere, Zauchensee, Tarvisio, and Crans Montana, in addition to St. Moritz, where Vonn will showcase her revamped strength and skills on the slopes.