This upcoming weekend holds special significance for Lindsey Vonn as she gears up to begin her last complete season on the world cup circuit in Cortina, one of her favorite resorts. Vonn expressed her feelings about the occasion during a news conference on Wednesday, acknowledging the mix of emotions she is experiencing. She is striving to savor the moment without feeling overwhelmed by the significance of the event. “It’s kind of a lot to process. A lot is going on at one time,” Vonn shared. “I’m trying to enjoy it as much as I can without getting too stressed out. I love it so much here.”
Cortina, part of the Dolomites Range, holds a special place in Vonn’s heart as it is where she achieved her first World Cup podium in 2004. Additionally, it was in Cortina where she broke the all-time women’s wins record in 2015 by securing her 63rd victory and receiving a surprise visit from her then-boyfriend Tiger Woods.
Vonn has an impressive track record in Cortina with 12 wins to her name, contributing significantly to her total of 82 World Cup victories. Many of these wins were hard-fought battles against previous record-holders like Renate Goetschl, Julia Mancuso, and her fierce competitor Maria Hoefl-Riesch.
While Vonn has also achieved success in Lake Louise, Alberta, with 18 wins, it was in November when she intended to kick off her season there. Unfortunately, she sustained a serious knee injury during training just a week before the race.
Reflecting on her setbacks, Vonn noted, “If there’s a place — except for Lake Louise — where I could come back, Cortina would be at the top of my list.” With her dog Lucy by her side, Vonn shared her perspective on the challenges she has faced, stating, “I was hoping that this last season would have been a lot different starting in Lake Louise, but nothing in life seems to happen the way I hoped or planned. So I just take the cards that I’m dealt, and I’ll play them with what I have.”
