Industry News
The rumor mill is in overdrive since Austrian national speed coach Sepp Brunner reported that he observed Lindsey Vonn training in Sölden, Austria, this month. In an interview with Swiss newspaper Blick’s sports journalist Marcel Perren, Brunner allegedly said, “I was able to observe Lindsey Vonn training gliding turns in a very ambitious manner on the Rettenbach-Ferner glacier [in Sölden].”
Prior to Sepp Brunner’s observation, Vonn had been spotted skiing in New Zealand at what observers initially considered to be a Red Bull promo shoot. However, Vonn shared a cryptic social media post today, October 9, with pictures of her time in New Zealand, in which she hinted at some impending exciting news.
”It’s been an incredible past few weeks. Being back in the mountains is where I find so much joy. It’s my natural habitat🏔️❤️…even if I hate being cold lol 😂
Excited to share more 🔜”
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) introduced a ‘wildcard’ option for retired athletes in its 24/25 World Cup rule book. Under the definitions stated in the FIS rule book, a retired athlete can win a wildcard slot provided he or she has won a FIS World Cup Overall season title or an Olympic Gold Medal or World Championship Gold Medal. Alternatively, winners of a World Cup event season title, such as Downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom, or Slalom, also qualify, provided they have won a minimum of five World Cups. The athlete who requests a wildcard must be retired from the FIS World Cup for a minimum of two and a maximum of ten years. All of the above conditions apply to Vonn, thus enabling her to apply for a wildcard to compete in a World Cup race.
Vonn retired from competitive racing after the 18/19 World Cup season, having won 82 World Cup races, four FIS Alpine World Cup Overall season titles, seven World Championship titles, and one Olympic Gold. The 39-year-old skier retired due to issues with her knee, which Vonn replaced after several surgeries with an artificial knee joint.
At this point, the only thing that is confirmed is that Vonn is planning to be a forerunner at the World Cup races in Beaver Creek, Colorado, in December this year. Rumor has it that if the forerunner experience goes well, Vonn will use the wildcard system to compete in some FIS World Cup races. According to the Blick newspaper article, Head Skis has put one of its highest-profile servicemen on Lindsey’s side with American Chris Krause, who previously worked with Ted Ligety and Bode Miller.
If Vonn indeed will compete in the 24/25 World Cup season, it will be an exciting season with three previously retired skiers returning to the FIS Alpine circuit: Marcel Hirscher, Lucas Braathen, and Lindsey Vonn. Vonn will, however, be the oldest athlete to stage a comeback at 40. The American ski racer will celebrate the big 4-0 next week, on October 18. Hirscher is 35 and will also utilize the wildcard system, while Braathen is only 24 and was able to move his points across from the 22/23 season.
