On Thursday, skiing legend Lindsey Vonn announced a sensational comeback. Over five years after putting her skis on the shelf and seven months after undergoing a major knee operation.
Swedish slalom specialist Anna Swenn-Larsson is positively surprised.
I found out that she had started training for a possible comeback a few weeks ago. But then I hadn't read anything until my boyfriend said she had gone public with it now.
"Good Lord"
Vonn has a total of 82 wins in the World Cup and is one of the greatest in skiing history. She tells The New York Times that she will join the US national team's camp in Colorado this weekend and aims to make a comeback in super-G and downhill in December.
It's exciting. Good Lord, I think it's so crazy that she's making a comeback considering her injury history and everything she's been through. It's great that she's back. Together with Hirscher, who's also back, it makes a lot of people curious, says Swenn-Larsson
So Lindsey Vonn is not the only high-profile skier making an unexpected comeback on the slopes this winter. Hirscher, with 67 World Cup wins, has also returned after a five-year absence. He is now competing for the Netherlands instead of Austria. Lucas Braathen is also making a comeback and has also changed nations, from Norway to Brazil.
"Extreme pressure"
Both Hirscher and Braathen competed in the World Cup premiere in Sölden, Austria.
There was extreme pressure in Sölden now that both are back. They are two profiles that are very important for our sport. It's only positive that they're back, says Swenn-Larsson, 33.
Her season starts now on Saturday in Levi, Finland, where slalom is waiting. She says the feeling is good and that she has high hopes for the season.
I always have high hopes and expectations. I've done everything I can to make this season as good as possible. Then it's slalom and anything can happen. There are small margins, but I have high goals.
+ Lindsey Vonn, 40 years old, USA.
Ended her career in 2019 but is now aiming to make a comeback in the World Cup in December. She does not rule out participating in the 2026 Olympic Games either. Vonn has 82 wins in the World Cup.
+ Marcel Hirscher, 35 years old, Austria/Netherlands.
Ended his career in 2019 but has made a comeback this season. He has also changed national teams, from Austria to his mother's birth country, the Netherlands. Hirscher has won the overall World Cup eight times, more than anyone else.
+ Lucas Braathen, 24 years old, Norway/Brazil.
Ended his career over a year ago after a dispute with the Norwegian Ski Association. Now he has made a comeback and is competing for his mother's birth country, Brazil.
