How the Ski World Reacted to Lindsey Vonn’s Suggestion of Male and Female Athletes Competing Together

Lindsey Vonn is the most celebrated skier on the US ski team. After Annemarie Moser-Pröll, she is one of the skiers to win four World Cup championships in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012. Moreover, in 2010, she became the only American woman to bag a gold in the downhill category in the Winter Olympics. Vonn ranks highest among men and women in having 20 World Cup crystal globes.

Lindsey Vonn might have achieved everything in her career, but there is one wish that she could not fulfill at her time. Vonn was very keen to race against men and expressed her desire to do the same in 2012 in Canada, in a men’s World Cup downhill at Lake Louise. Howeverm it wasn’t allowed. Until her retirement, she was hopeful that the International Ski Federation (FIS), the sport’s governing body, would turn her dream into reality. Although that did not happen due to many factors, it did start an interesting debate with multiple views from both male and female skiers.

How did skiers react to Lindsey Vonn’s idea?

Vonn’s idea of racing against men was eye-opening. It had never happened before. Many male and female skiers gave mixed reactions to the idea. People judged Lindsey’s suggestion based on sexuality, technicalities, and format.

Sofia Goggia, an Italian skier, also supported the idea with her input, saying:

“I would like maybe to have a sort of combined, with women racing downhill and men slalom. This would be interesting, like racing in a team,”

She also added her suggestion:

“But the women on one discipline and the men on the other discipline. Otherwise, it would not be fair.”

There were male skiers who also supported Vonn’s idea. Ryan Cochran-Siegle, super-G silver medalist, said, “Back then, when Lindsey was trying to do it, I was all for it,”

However, some skiers strongly opposed the idea. Olympic slalom champion Petra Vlhová was not in favor of direct competition. She said, “Men and women, you cannot compare them, they have different bodies,”

Furthermore, the Slovakian racer added, “If you do some races with the men, it’s because you want to be everywhere in the newspaper. I don’t need to do that.”

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Mikaela Shiffrin, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, supported Vonn’s idea only if it was just for show and excitement. She believed that it would interest ski lovers. However, she was not in favor of direct competition, as she felt it was like comparing apples to oranges.

Why did Lindsey Vonn retire?

The ace skier had to retire due to several knee injuries in 2020. Initially, she was not happy about her unplanned retirement, as she believed she did not reach her goal.

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However, she eventually accepted the reality and embraced everything she achieved in her long ski career. Today, she is busy focusing on her several business ventures.

Were you surprised when Lindsey Vonn announced her retirement? Let us know in the comments.