Lindsey Vonn during a press conference at the STIFEL Birds of Prey FIS World Cup - Beaver Creek Women's Downhill Training - Source: Getty

"I have no doubt"- Lindsey Vonn gives honest opinion on her ability to compete against some of the best skiers in the current circuit

Modified Dec 19, 2024 04:03 GMT

Lindsey Vonn expressed her thoughts on being able to compete against some of the best skiers in the current circuit as she returns to race professionally nearly six years after her retirement. The American Alpine skier was optimistic and very confident about her abilities as she geared up for her first World Cup appearance.

Vonn made her first comeback appearance at the FIS Fall Festival in Colorado in December. She expressed that she used this opportunity as a training experience as well as to test her equipment. Moreover, the event helped her to gain the necessary points to be able to qualify for the Alpine Skiing World Cup.

A week later, Lindsey Vonn announced that she would be making her first World Cup appearance nearly six years later in St. Moritz. She spoke about her confidence while competing alongside some of the best skiers in the current circuit in an interview with NBC Olympics.

"I have no doubt that I can compete with them. You know I have trained with probably the top 10, top 20, and even the top 30 girls in the last few weeks. Somedays I was winning training, some days I wasn't. You know, I was testing a lot of equipment and I'm sure they were too. But I'm right here with them. You know, I may, it may take me a race or two, you know to get the rust off but I haven't really missed anything," she said.

"I feel like I'm right where I left off. I'm actually healthier now than I was for the last few years of my career and I won a few races in that time so I don't, I'm not questioning my ability," she added.

Lindsey Vonn on her decision to come out of retirement

Lindsey Vonn during a trial run at the STIFEL Birds of Prey FIS World Cup - Beaver Creek Women's Super G - Source: Getty

Lindsey Vonn took to Instagram to reveal her reason for coming out of retirement nearly six years later. The former World Cup champion revealed that she used her time after retirement to explore various avenues as well as introspect on her life as well as connect with herself.

Over the years, she concluded that the joy that she gets from skiing can't be compared to anything else and hence made the decision to return to the slopes professionally after undergoing a partial knee replacement surgery.

"Over the past 6 years since I retired, I moved on, I continued to build my foundation and help underserved girls, to grow my business and to enjoy all that life has to offer away from ski racing," she said.

"I took the time to connect with myself and reflect on my life, who I am, and what I want to be. I am not just a skier. I am a strong woman who loves to ski. There is a big difference between the two. And even though I am very happy, there is still nothing like the joy I get from skiing 80mph," she added.

Furthermore, Lindsey Vonn expressed her excitement for the future and did not want to be bound by limits.