Las Vegas, NV – Olympic and World Champion alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn is used to being nominated and winning awards, but presenting one – especially on live television – was an entirely new experience Sunday, as Vonn and country music star Joe Nichols awarded the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards Single Record of the Year to Lady Antebellum in Las Vegas.nVonn said that she was thrilled to be honored as a presenter at the 2010 ACM’s, but didn’t know what she’d be presenting until just an hour to curtain. Though just as quick in her high heels as in ski boots, the Olympic gold medalist practiced the script a few times back stage with Nichols, then nailed the performance.
“I was so excited to be there that it didn’t matter what I was presenting, but they literally changed it around at the last minute. Joe and I did a few test runs back stage and then just went for it,” said the Vail, Colo. resident. “He was such a nice guy it was such an honor to present such a prestigious award to Lady Antebellum, who ultimately won three other awards that night. It was a cool experience.”
According to critics, namely teammate and fellow Olympian Stacey Cook, Vonn put on a gold medal performance.
“Stacey texted me right after and said I did a good job, so I’m taking that as plus,” said Vonn, who added that she’s getting more and more used to walking in high heels. “Stacey is probably one of the biggest fans of country music there is – definitely the biggest on our team – so getting a positive review from her was better than any critic.”
In addition to the red carpet experience, something she’s been a part of before at both the ESPY and Emmy Awards, Vonn said evening highlights also included meeting ACM host Reba McEntire, LL Cool J and seeing 2010 Entertainer of the Year Carrie Underwood perform with Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert.
“The performances were absolutely incredible, especially Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a concert and I’d be lucky if every show I went to was as high energy as this one,” said Vonn. “Thomas [Vonn, her husband] said Taylor Swift’s performance was amazing, but unfortunately I was still backstage and missed it. There’s always next year, I’m sure she’ll be back and hopefully so will I.”
Athletically, Vonn said things are healing up nicely and that she’ll be back to training full-time in the next month to begin preparation for the 2011 Audi FIS Alpine World Cup season, which includes World Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany in February.
“I haven’t done too much training since the season ended which has been pretty nice and is allowing my body to completely heal. It’s also been incredible to travel around so much and take advantage of opportunities like the CMA’s,” said Vonn, who in her rounds of media events and public appearances that has continued since the Olympic Games, will be in Washington, D.C. later this month for the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner. She will make her acting debut on the May 24 episode of “Law and Order”, a segment she filmed with NBC television in early April in New York City.
“It’s been a different spring, that’s for sure,” said Vonn. “At the ACM’s it was cool having famous singers asking to have their picture taken with me. Usually it’s the other way around. Filming with Law and Order was really cool and I’m looking forward to going to the dinner in Washington, D.C. It’s just cool to have so many opportunities that a skier might normally not have. It’s been a fun spring.”