“One big mistake” - Lindsey Vonn makes her feelings known after 20th place finish at the Cortina d'Ampezzo World Cup

Lindsey Vonn is one of the most successful skiers of all time, and she has returned to racing six years after her retirement. The American recently took to the slopes at the Cortina d'Ampezzo World Cup and finished 20th. After the race, she reflected on her performance while showing enthusiasm for the upcoming super-G race.

Vonn dominated the World Cup circuit for nearly two decades between 2000 and 2019, winning 82 World Cup races, 16 discipline titles, and four overall titles. In 2019, she called time on her career due to recurring injuries with her knee, but she returned to competition in 2024 after a successful knee replacement surgery.

On Saturday, January 18, Lindsey Vonn raced the downhill event at the Cortina d'Ampezzo World Cup, marking her third World Cup appearance since her comeback to the sport.

During the race, the skier showed promising pace in the first half but eventually finished towards the back of the pack. After the race, the 40-year-old took to her Instagram stories to analyze her performance, writing,

"In the hunt for another great result today but unfortunately had one big mistake ...tomorrow it's on.”

Via Lindsey Vonn's Instagram

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Lindsey Vonn opens up about her downhill race in Cortina d'Ampezzo

Vonn at the Cortina d'Ampezzo World Cup (Image Source: Getty)

After returning to skiing six years post her retirement, Lindsey Vonn made her World Cup debut in St. Moritz, finishing 14th. She followed this up with a sixth-place finish in the downhill in St. Anton.

While her 20th position in Cortina d'Ampezzo might seem disappointing after these results, Vonn is more focused on the positives, saying (as quoted by Olympics.com),

“The fact that I'm back here is a miracle in itself. Yes, I'm a little disappointed that I made that big mistake on the bottom - I made actually quite a few mistakes on the bottom. But I was on pace to be another top-five result and I have to be really happy with that.”

She went on to add that the Cortina d'Ampezzo was a tricky course, saying,

“I know everyone wants me to get right back on the podium, but it has been six years. This is the fastest course with the most terrain that I have skied so I'm getting used to it. I'm still getting my downhill legs and I know every day is a progression. And I'm learning and figuring out my skis. Yesterday our set-up didn't work, today it was good. But the difference in speed for me was a lot, so it was hard for me to adjust. But in general, I'm really happy with where I am. Hopefully tomorrow I can make a mistake-free run.”

Lindsey Vonn will be back on the slopes of Cortina d'Ampezzo on January 19 for the super-G race. Since her return, the American has raced the event twice, finishing 14th in St. Moritz and 4th in St. Anton.