Lindsey Vonn skis down the sunset boulevard with a bronze
Winter sports legend Lindsey Vonn's dream of winning gold in her farewell event might have been shattered, but the amazing American didn't return empty-handed as she took part in the final event in her glittering career at the 2019 Alpine World Ski Championships in Are, Sweden on Sunday.
In the much-anticipated women's downhill, Vonn, despite rolling back the clock to entertain the crowd, managed to grab a bronze medal to mark the swansong of an incredible skiing career.
Lindsey Vonn of U.S. in action during the FIS World Ski Championships Women's Downhill in Are, Sweden, February 10, 2019. /VCG Photo
Ilka Stuhec of Slovenia finished 0.49 seconds ahead of Vonn to deny her legendary rival the first place and also became the first skier to successfully defend her Ladies' Downhill title since Maria Walliser achieved the same feat in 1989.
Corinne Suter of Switzerland pushed Vonn down to the third place after she ended the race 0.23 seconds behind Stuhec.
Grappling with pain in both of her surgically repaired knees, 34-year-old Vonn, the most successful female skier of all time with 82 World Cup wins, recently announced her retirement from competitive skiing.
Ilka Stuhec (C) of Slovenia wins the gold medal, Corinne Suter (L) of Switzerland wins the silver medal, and Lindsey Vonn of USA wins the bronze medal during the FIS World Ski Championships Women's Downhill in Are, Sweden, February 10, 2019. /VCG Photo
Speaking in mixed zone after the race, the iconic skier said, “Yes, it was such a great day, to be on the podium one last time, to stand in front of the crowd and in front of my family and friends. I am very, very happy to have finished my career on such a high note.”
Soon after making a memorable podium finish, Vonn was greeted by Swedish skiing great Ingemar Stenmark, whose has 86 World Cup victories under her belt.
Later, she jointly celebrated the farewell party with another just retired legend, Aksel Lund Svindal, who won silver in his final race – the men's downhill – on Saturday.
Fact file
Lindsey Vonn poses with her medals following a press conference after the Women's Downhill event of the 2019 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships at the National Arena in Are, Sweden, February 10, 2019. /VCG Photo
Name: Lindsey Caroline Vonn (nee Kildow)
Date of birth: October 18, 1984
Age: 34
Place of birth: St Paul, Minnesota, United States
Nationality: American
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 73kg
World Cup World Cup debut: November 18, 2000 (age 16)
World Cup overall titles: 4 - 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012
World Cup discipline titles: 16 - 8 downhill (2008-2013, 2015, 2016), 5 super-G (2009-2012, 2015), 3 combined (2010-2012)
World Cup wins: 82 - 43 downhill, 28 super-G, 4 giant slalom, 2 slalom, 5 combined World Cup finishes: 137 podiums, 213 top 10s
World championships Gold: downhill (2009), super-G (2009) Silver: downhill (2007, 2011), super-G (2007) Bronze: downhill (2017, 2019), super-G (2015)
Olympic Games Gold: downhill (2010) Bronze: super-G (2010), downhill (2018)