Vonn Solid in Official Downhill Training
By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
December, 4 2013
LAKE LOUISE, AB (Dec. 4) - Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) successfully completed her first Audi FIS Alpine World Cup training run of the season in Lake Louise, where she has won a record 14 times. Vonn, who has been sidelined from World Cup action since the 2013 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, finished a conservative 22nd behind run winner Carolina Ruiz Castillo of Spain. Stacey Cook (Mammoth Mountain, CA) was the top American in sixth with Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley, CA) ninth. A second training run is scheduled for Thursday followed by back-to-back downhills on Friday and Saturday. Universal Sports Network will broadcast the entire weekend live.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) returned to the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup start Wednesday, successfully completing the first of two downhill training runs in Lake Louise.
- Stacey Cook (Mammoth Mountain, CA), who was second in both downhills at Lake Louise last season, was the top American in sixth. Julia Mancuso (Squaw Valley, CA) finished ninth.
- Vonn hasn’t raced on a World Cup slope since February of 2013.
- A second training run is slated for Thursday, following which Vonn and U.S. Ski Team medical staff and coaches will decide on a potential start in Friday’s downhill.
- Lake Louise features back-to-back downhills and a super G, all of which will air live on Universal Sports Network.
QUOTES
Lindsey Vonn
I’m really happy to be back here in Lake Louise. It was my first run, so I was, of course a little bit nervous. It was my first training run - my first real race situation since February - so it’s been a long time.
Lindsey Vonn
I’m really happy to be back here in Lake Louise. It was my first run, so I was, of course a little bit nervous. It was my first training run - my first real race situation since February - so it’s been a long time.
My knee feels good. It feels stable. I’m just going to play it by ear tomorrow and make a decision on the race. Just trying to stay focused and get my confidence back.
Stacey Cook
The course is in really nice shape, and it felt good to go so fast and get in the tuck a bit more than we were able to do in Beaver Creek. I'm excited for this week.
The course is in really nice shape, and it felt good to go so fast and get in the tuck a bit more than we were able to do in Beaver Creek. I'm excited for this week.
Alex Hoedlmoser, Head Women’s Coach, U.S. Ski Team
Lindsey skied strong and had a good training run without taking any big risks, which was the strategy. We’ll continue to evaluation her situation with her before making a final decision for Friday.
Lindsey Vonn
Known as one of the world's most successful female ski racers, Lindsey Vonn is coming out of retirement to rejoin the Stifel U.S. Ski Team.