Lake Louise (AB), Canada – Lindsey Vonn successfully completed her first Audi FIS Alpine World Cup training run of the season today in Lake Louise, where she has won a record 14 times.
“I’m really happy to be back here in Lake Louise. It was my first run, so I was, of course a little bit nervous. It was my first training run – my first real race situation since February – so it’s been a long time,” Vonn said, adding, “My knee feels good. It feels stable. I’m just going to play it by ear tomorrow and make a decision on the race. Just trying to stay focused and get my confidence back.”
Vonn, who has been sidelined from World Cup action since a devastating crash in the 2013 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships super G, finished a conservative 22nd behind run winner Carolina Ruiz Castillo of Spain. Stacey Cook of Mammoth Mountain, Calif., who finished second in both downhills in Lake Louise last season, was the top American in sixth with fellow Californian Julia Mancuso ninth.
“The course is in really nice shape, and it felt good to go so fast and get in the tuck a bit more than we were able to do in Beaver Creek,” said Cook. “I’m excited for this week.”
A second training run is scheduled for Thursday followed by back-to-back downhills on Friday and Saturday. Vonn and U.S. Ski Team medical staff and coaches will decide on a potential start for her in Friday’s downhill.
“Lindsey skied strong and had a good training run without taking any big risks, which was the strategy,” explained U.S. Ski Team head women’s coach Alex Hoedlmoser. “We’ll continue to evaluation her situation with her before making a final decision for Friday.”