Chris Dillman/Vail Daily
Lindsey Vonn would have preferred to compete in the Birds of Prey World Cup – the first women’s downhill on the legendary Beaver Creek course.
But the previous event on Saturday was also something very special.
“I think this is the largest crowd I’ve ever seen for a precursor in my life,” Vonn said. “I got a cheer as if I was racing. The community has really supported us and everyone here has been so great, it was a really special feeling today.”
Vonn earned the necessary FIS points for a World Cup start at a race at Copper Mountain last weekend, but the most recent FIS points list was not released in time for her to compete at Beaver Creek on Saturday or Sunday. She is planning her World Cup comeback on December 21st and 22nd in St. Moritz.
“It’s not my fault, I did everything I could, but that’s how the cookie crumbled,” said the 40-year-old. “I’m going to race next weekend.”
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Vonn spent Saturday sending race reports to her fellow U.S. Ski Team members. They must have been worth it: 22-year-old Lauren Macuga achieved a career-best fourth place.
“I’ve been around long enough to know that when we help each other, we all do better,” Vonn said. “They don’t need me to be successful, but if I can help them in any way, I always will.”
The podium on Saturday – Cornelia Hütter, 32, Sofia Goggia, 32, and Lara Gut-Behrami, 33 – was almost explicitly reminiscent of the Vonn era.
“It’s all the same players, just a different day,” Vonn noted. “And I know what it takes to win against these competitors. Hopefully I can really get my equipment 100% dialed in so I can perform to the best of my ability.”
Her competitors are also happy about her return.
“I’m really happy to have her back,” Goggia said after finishing second on Saturday.
During her preliminary heat, Vonn said she would score “about 85%.” She didn’t keep track of the time, but she knows there were places she could have hidden.
“I wanted to make sure I scored all the goals,” she said, adding that she was still tinkering with the equipment. “I have changed a few things compared to yesterday and today, so I never want to be 100% when changing equipment. It’s a little sketchy, especially on this type of descent.”
Vonn will go full throttle in St. Moritz.
“I never give everything I have until it’s race day. I just don’t think it’s necessary to take these risks, especially now. And when I feel comfortable, I know what I’m capable of,” she continued. “I’m really close.”
