This time last year Lindsey Vonn had fully anticipated doing what she does best: making the Olympic team and being the darling of the Alpine skiing event. Instead, back-to-back injuries last November and December made it impossible for Vonn to compete in those Sochi games and working as a correspondent for NBC was hardly the same experience. Being the most successful skier in U.S. history means Vonn is not going to be quick to leave the sport she has dominated. Fifty-nine World Cup races and two Olympic medals are not enough for the decorated star, and she has spent this entire year slowly working on her comeback.
Vonn recently talked to The Denver Post about preparing to return to the sport she loves so much:
"Everything is going really well. The knee feels really good. With the meniscus stuff, I expected something to go wrong or there would be a setback of some sort, but there wasn't anything. It was great the whole time. I didn't have any pain, didn't have any swelling. It was quite a bit better than I expected.
"I definitely have a different progression. Everyone is already in race mode, they've been skiing in the summer and they're at a different stage in their prep period. I hope and anticipate being able to train with the rest of the team."
After Vonn's injuries last season, many figured her career was over, and probably for a lesser athlete it would have been. Skiing and competing are really all she knows, so returning to the sport or at least attempting to was never a question in Vonn's mind.
"Because I haven't really competed in two years, and that's quite unusual for me — I've been competing since I was 9 years old — it's been frustrating for sure," she said. "I'm ready to be racing again, I'm excited for this season. I had heard a couple of interviews where other girls had expected me to retire, and that's just not what's going to happen. I'm very fired up for this season and I'm looking forward to being back in the starting gate and being aggressive again."
Are you surprised Vonn is gearing up for a return this season? She has been known to push herself extremely hard even when her desired result is not actually possible. Will this be another instance where Vonn is ready to compete but her body will ultimately tell a different story?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
