CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb 7 (Reuters) – Lindsey Vonn has declared herself the winner whatever happens in the final Olympic downhill of her stellar career.
The 41-year-old American star will try to beat the odds of age and injury on her favorite slope Olimpia della Tofane on Sunday, hoping to become the oldest alpine skiing medalist in the history of the Games.
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“One last Olympic descent tomorrow,” she posted on Instagram on Saturday after posting the third-fastest time in the final training session, despite her left knee being in a brace to support a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
“Just attending these Olympics has been a journey that some people didn’t believe in from the start,” she continued.
“I was retired for six years and a partial knee replacement gave me the opportunity to compete again.”
Vonn said she was in Cortina for the simple love of ski racing and wasn’t looking for meaning, attention or money.
She paid tribute to her late mother for teaching her the power of positivity and resilience, and to her father, who will be watching on Sunday, for teaching the importance of hard work and mental toughness.
“I will stand in the starting gate tomorrow and know that I am strong,” she wrote.
“Know that I believe in myself. Know that the odds are against me because of my age, no ACL and a titanium knee – but know that I still believe in it.
“And usually, when the opportunities are greatest, I make the most of what I have.”
Her coach Axel Lund Svindal has said he thinks Vonn, leader of the World Cup downhill standings with five podium finishes in five races, including two wins, can take a medal.
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The question of how the speed queen, the second most successful female World Cup racer of all time, might fare has gripped America and ski racing, as well as a wider audience intrigued by the appeal and passion of an extraordinary comeback story.
“I will be racing in my final Olympic downhill tomorrow and while I cannot guarantee a good result, I can guarantee that I will give it everything I have,” she said.
“But whatever happens, I’ve already won.”
Teammate Mikaela Shiffrin, the greatest World Cup driver of them all with a record 108 victories, praised her compatriot and was among those counting down the hours to the race.
“Her tenacity and perseverance in what she shows at these Olympics, and staying true to her own values, is nothing short of beautiful,” she told reporters.
“I’m so excited to watch. I trained today and I have a recovery day tomorrow, so I’ll be cheering and watching the TV with fascination. I’m 100% convinced that anything is possible.” (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, Editing by Nick Mulvenney)
