Sometimes there are retired athletes who come back to the sport that they once adored and kept as their top priority. But for Lindsey Vonn, her parting with alpine skiing wasn’t easy back in 2019, and now this year, she took the best opportunity and came back to the sport, delighting her legion of followers out there. She also participated in events, but unfortunately, she failed to secure a podium finish in her first race, which was heartbreaking for her. However, she’s determined for the future, as now she has gained a spot to compete in the World Cup races.

The American alpine skier has faced significant challenges on her return journey, not only due to the challenges on the snow but also due to the overwhelming negativity surrounding her comeback. These haters have been everywhere, but Vonn hasn’t given them much priority as she’s focused on her ambitions and even addressed these comments.

Lindsey Vonn’s straightforward response

Making a comeback as a sports professional is no straightforward task. But despite being 40 years old, Vonn is back in alpine skiing with a similar type of enthusiasm to that of a younger athlete. But what is she looking forward to? With 82 World Cup victories under her belt, she remains determined to uphold her legacy and demonstrate to the world that, despite her prolonged absence from competition, she remains a prominent figure in alpine skiing history.

Lindsey Vonn’s return, though, made her participate in some lower-level FIS races, but it was enough for her to make a mark. Feeling more enthusiastic than ever, the American skier opened up on her X profile, stating, “Well… after a solid weekend of races I am now qualified to race World Cup!  now let’s see when I’m ready… While she’s aiming for more in her comeback journey, one of her fans posted a comment stating, “Well done. Luckily you can’t read Italian newspaper @Gazzetta_it that says yours was a flop!!! But hey, they can only talk about soccer… Can’t wait to see you in WC.”

The social media user pointed out that even if she’s qualified for the World Cup, there’s still negativity surrounding her performances. It’s been a long time since Vonn professionally competed in alpine skiing. Naturally, Vonn wouldn’t be making a comeback, showcasing herself on the podium in every race she participated in. The decline in performance after leaving the sport for so many years is common, but such a kind of mentally deteriorating comment is something the American is unbothered about.

“I’m sure a lot of people who don’t know anything about ski racing have negative things to say about the results, but it was training and to qualify for the World Cup… I put zero thought behind such headlines,“ said Lindsey Vonn, replying to her fan’s concern. Whatever the 40-year-old is capable of is something that she’s aware of. She has starred in 82 World Cups during her stellar career, and making a comeback after retirement is an achievement she cherishes.

Furthermore, the American alpine skier has been pleased with the way she has performed. Vonn knows that this isn’t her limit, and she has acknowledged her performances in previous social media posts, too.

A determined return to the snow

Even though Lindsey Vonn, a skier, must overcome challenges to regain the position she held prior to her retirement, she remains unfazed. However, having a tough mindset, she isn’t bothered about competing in the lower-level FIS downhill races, as she knows that they are her only way into the World Cup races. Recently, the 40-year-old participated in the FIS Fall Festival at Copper Mountain, Colorado. So how did her races go?

Despite having a competitive field, Vonn was able to secure 24th and 27th in the two downhill events. Furthermore, she also placed 19th and 24th in the Super-G event. The performance that she put up wasn’t bad for a skier who is making her comeback, which she conveyed in her social media post, stating, “Today was a solid start, and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again! While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove. This is only the beginning, and the way I’m skiing is more important than the times at this point.”

Lindsey Vonn already predicted that many skiing pundits would be at her tail in no time, comparing her results. However, she isn’t bothered by it, as she knows that she’s still undergoing a training phase. “Now I have the fis points to race World Cup ✅ so that’s a successful day! Thanks to everyone who helped put on the races! Let’s do it again tomorrow! 🙌🏻💪🏻❤️” the 40-year-old clarified about her future in her comeback journey. Surely, for any alpine skier, the World Cups are the main event, and even Vonn is aiming at her 83rd title. While the road won’t be straightforward for the American, she won’t be backing off from any challenges in the sport that she once dominated.