Lindsey Vonn, a name synonymous with excellence in the world of skiing, made a highly anticipated return to competition this weekend. At the age of 40, she took on the FIS Fall Festival at Copper Mountain in Colorado, marking the beginning of her World Cup comeback trail.

Lindsey Vonn's Return - A Training Opportunity with a Blast

First Race: A Stepping Stone to Re-Entry

In her first downhill race after almost six years away, Vonn faced a field of 43 competitors. Completing the course twice, she finished 24th, just 1.44 seconds behind Austrian winner Mirjam Puchner. This was not about the final position but about getting back in the groove. As she wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again!" She emphasized that while some might speculate about her form based on the results, this was purely a training exercise for her. She was testing equipment and getting a feel for the race environment once again.

Second Race: Gaining Momentum

In her second race, Vonn showed determination as she finished 27th. With a time of 1:07.52, she was 1.53 seconds behind defending World Cup downhill champion Cornelia Huetter of Austria. This showed her progress and her ability to adapt to the demands of the race. Vonn sees this as part of her journey back to the World Cup circuit. She knows that each race is a step in the right direction and that the important thing is to keep improving.

Using the Event as a Training Opportunity

Vonn has made it clear that this week's event at Copper Mountain is a training opportunity for her. She is taking advantage of the various races to get back in shape and regain her confidence. By competing in these lower-tier events, she is laying the foundation for her return to the elite World Cup circuit. As she said, "This is only the beginning and the way I'm skiing is more important than the times at this point. Now I have the FIS points to race World Cup so that's a successful day!"

Looking Ahead to the Future

With two Super-G races scheduled for Sunday at Copper Mountain, Vonn is eager to continue her comeback. She has requested a "wild card" entry to compete in two super-G races at St. Moritz on December 21 and 22, taking advantage of the new invitation system. This shows her ambition and her desire to make a mark on the skiing world once again. Vonn's legacy as one of the greatest World Cup skiers of all time is well-established. With 82 World Cup victories, three Olympic medals (including downhill gold in 2010), 20 World Cup titles, eight world championship medals, and 137 World Cup podiums, she has left an indelible mark. As she continues her comeback, fans and fellow skiers alike will be watching with great interest to see what she can achieve in the years to come.