I DID IT!!!! After everything I’ve been through, I fought my way back on to the podium!! I can’t even start to describe what this means to me… I have been overwhelmed with emotion and support from so many people. I want to say thank you to everyone who believed in me! Going to enjoy this moment and reflect.
A lot happened in one week… from training in Austria to Paris fashion week, racing in Italy and then finally making it home to my dogs… it’s been wild. I enjoy getting to be myself on and off the mountain and showing the different sides of me. You can be strong, competitive, aggressive and also feminine and soft all at the same time! Don’t let anyone put you into a box. Just be yourself.
I’m not gonna lie, these past few weeks have been tough. I love skiing and that’s the only reason I came back to this sport… but there have been so many negative voices. People who don’t believe in me. People who say I’m too old and slow. People who have questioned my character. People who told me to move over because my time is up. I know they are only a few voices out of many…. But it still hurts. I try to be strong, but I’m not always strong. I am human.
I think it hurts because I care. I know I shouldn’t, but at the end of the day, my skin is only so thick.
I wish I could have done better, but I didn’t. I did my best with what I had. And I know I don’t handle every situation perfectly… because I’m very far from perfect. But I do care. Probably too much. Which is why my emotions get the best of me sometimes.
But don’t worry, I’m not going to give up. I believe in myself and I know with hard work I will get to where I dream of going. Thank you to everyone who has supported me. Let’s keep dreaming!
When you fall, you pick yourself back up. Yesterday I was down, today I stood back up.
Reflecting on what I achieved this weekend on a day that would have been my Mother’s 73rd birthday…
When I stood in the starting gate Sunday a sliver of sunshine came out and blanketed the first few gates of the course… if only for a second… I knew my Mom was with me. I knew it was my time to risk it all in front of so many American fans, including my father and brother.
The tears that flowed after I finished were a mix of relief, pride, joy, and a feeling a great appreciation for this crazy journey I have embarked on.
It’s been only 11 months since I had a partial knee replacement, only 3 months since returning to racing but after this podium I’m looking forward… it’s only 11 months until the Olympics in Cortina, Italy.
I will continue to believe in myself, work hard and do my best to put myself in a position to succeed next year. After this weekend though, I guess all the haters know I what I’ve known all along… 5 years after her crash... this 40-year-old woman STILL HAS IT!! Never stop believing.
This is for you Mom!! Happy birthday. I love you ❤️
When I started Lindsey Vonn Foundation, my mission was simple: to inspire young people and give them the confidence and opportunity to chase their dreams, just like I did. Seeing the impact, we’ve made together over the last 10 years is beyond anything I could have imagined.
A decade of empowering young girls, funding scholarships, creating our own empowerment curriculum and mentorship programs, and breaking down barriers. We’ve engaged over 2,000 girls and we’ve raised over 1 million dollars. Thank you to everyone who has supported our mission and been a part of this incredible journey! 🙏🏻
This is still just the start, and we have a super exciting 10th year in store. Watch this space and let’s keep pushing!