American legend retires with downhill bronze at 2019 World Championships.
Lindsey Vonn left alpine skiing and sport fans with an amazing legacy after she finished her career with a bronze medal in the downhill at the 2019 World Championships in Åre. Here is all you need to know:
– The American legend announced last week that the 2019 World Championships in Swedish resort Åre would bring the curtain down on a glittering career that has seen her make history and inspire people at every turn.
– On February 1, she revealed: “My body is broken beyond repair and it isn’t letting me have the final season I dreamed of. My body is screaming at me to STOP and it’s time for me to listen… I’m just starting a new chapter. Don’t lose faith in your dreams, keep fighting for what you love, and if you always give everything you have you’ll be happy no matter what the outcome.”
– Painful crashes have finally taken their toll on both her knees, however the 34-year-old from Minnesota’s capital Saint Paul put on a brave face until the end despite another nasty crash in Tuesday’s super-G race.
– A bruised face and ribs did not stop her from taking to the downhill start gate on Sunday and complete a heroic run down the weather shortened course that resulted in a popular podium finish and bronze medal behind Ilka Štuhec of Slovenia – who became the first woman skier to retain her downhill world title since Swiss Maria Walliser in 1989 – and Switzerland’s Corinne Suter in silver.
– Åre has been a special place for Vonn throughout her career. She won her first two World Championship medals (two silvers) at the Swedish resort in 2007 and also clinched the last of her 82 FIS World Cup victories at the World Cup finals on the same course last season.
– Afterwards, she said: “It was so fun, I was literally the most nervous I’ve ever been in my entire life. I wanted to come down and be in the lead for one last time and to hear the crowd roar and to not crash. I’m always full tilt and always on the limit. I was worried that I’d charge too hard and not make it down for my last race – that’s my worst nightmare.”
– Olympic downhill champion Sofia Goggia of Italy, who finished 15th, enthused: “I’m super happy that Lindsey got a medal and we’re going to celebrate tonight.”
Women’s World Championship downhill result:
1. Ilka Stuhec (Slovenia) 1:01.74
2. Corinne Suter (Switzerland) +0.23
3. Lindsey Vonn (USA) +0.49
4. Stephanie Venier (Austria) +0.53
5. Ragnhild Mowinckel (Norway) +0.59
6. Nicol Delago (Italy) +0.62
7. Ramona Siebenhofer (Austria) +0.64
8. Lara Gut-Behrami (Switzerland) +0.78
9= Nicole Schmidhofer (Austria) +0.81
9= Tamara Tippler (Austria) +0.81
Lindsey Vonn fact file
World Cup debut: November 18, 2000, Park City, Slalom – aged 16
World Cup titles: 20 (all-time record for any skier)
World Cup race wins: 82 (all-time women’s record, second overall)
Best World Cup season: 12 wins in 2012 (5 DH, 4 SG, 2 GS, 1 combined)
One of only seven women to have won World Cup races in all five disciplines
Olympic Games medals: One gold and two bronze
World Championship medals: Two gold, three silver and three bronze
Associated Press Athlete of the Year 2010
Laureus World Sports Awards: Sportswoman of the Year 2011