Vonn ‘old and proud’ after historic bronze
ST. MORITZ, Switzerland: Not that her place was ever in doubt, but Lindsey Vonn made sure of securing her spot in the pantheon of alpine skiing greats when she became the oldest female medallist.
At 32 years and 117 days, Vonn said she was “old and proud” after sealing a bronze in the blue riband event of downhill at the world championships in St Moritz on Sunday. It was her seventh world medal.
“I’m the oldest world championship medallist on the women’s side and I’m really proud of that,” she said.
“I’m not that old, but I guess I’m old, so I’m happy. I’m old and I’m proud!”
Now firmly installed as one of the sport’s elder stateswomen, the American said the result was fair recompense for five injurywracked seasons.
“It’s been a struggle the last few years with my injuries and to be able to come back and get a medal at these world champs is awesome,” said Vonn, who won Olympic downhill gold and superG silver in Vancouver in 2010.
Vonn’s latest injury was a broken right humerus in November that has left her with such limited grip in her hand that she has it bound by tape onto her pole.
“The bronze feels like gold. I wish I was able to ski a bit faster, but I came into the season with no training and pretty much no selfconfidence,” she said, pinpointing a World Cup downhill victory in Garmisch as a pre- worlds positive.
“That was a really great boost for me, winning there.
“It’s been a struggle, nothing’s been easy for me the last five years.”
But Vonn added: “Of course, I always believe anything’s possible. No matter what obstacle I face I feel like I can overcome it. I always believe in what I’m doing.”
In an impressive showing by the Stars and Stripes team, Vonn led home four Americans in the top 15, with Laurenne Ross, Jacqueline Wiles and Breezy Johnson fifth, 12th and 15th respectively.
And Vonn acknowledged that she continued to work with her teammates, nurturing them as they also encouraged her.
“They ask me for advice and I give it them. I want them to succeed just as much as they want me to succeed,” she said, adding: “I’ve also gotten a lot of really nice compliments from girls on the World Cup saying how much they respect me.
“I feel like I’m getting to that point now where people think I’m going to retire soon, which maybe I will maybe I won’t.
“It’s nice to get that respect, because all these girls are all really young and they’re going to replace me when I retire.
“It’s a good feeling to have that respect from the girls.”
Vonn’s personal touch was seen when she consoled Italian Sofia Goggia, who was seemingly on course for victory before a terrible mistake just two gates from the finish.
Goggia, a remarkable nine-time World Cup podium finisher this season, eventually finished fourth, seven-hundredths of a second off Vonn.
“Sofia was definitely disappointed today. I saw that she was crying, I gave her a hug and said she has many more chances, she’s very young and has a lot of talent,” Vonn said.
“Next year is the Olympics and it will give her more motivation to come back stronger. Fourth place is always a tough position to be in but she’ll come back.”
After the worlds, Vonn will retune her sights on Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark’s record of 86 World Cup victories. She currently has 77 wins and it would be a brave person to bet against a recognised “good old one”. — AFP
I’m the oldest world championship medallist on the women’s side and I’m really proud of that. Lindsey Vonn