American alpine ski racer Mikaela Shiffrin put on a strong display in the women’s giant slalom at the Spindleruv Mlyn World Cup event, prompting a reaction from Lindsey Vonn. Shiffrin finished in 3rd place, just +0.23 seconds off the winning time, which was posted by Sara Hector of Sweden, who won the race with a time of 2:23.86. It was American Paula Moltzan who finished in second place, just 0.18 seconds behind Hector.
This race marked a triumphant return to the giant slalom podium for Shiffrin, her first in nearly two years since her last top-three finish at the Jasná World Cup in Slovakia on January 20, 2024.
Lindsey Vonn Reacts to Mikaela Shiffrin’s Performance
Both Vonn and Shiffrin are regarded as favorites to take home gold as part of Team USA at the upcoming Milan Olympics. Vonn, aged 41, is set to make her fifth Olympic appearance after returning to the sport last season following her 2019 retirement due to multiple injuries. She has continued to prove she is still at the same level, earning multiple podium finishes and two downhill World Cup wins this season.
In a video shared on Instagram, Shiffrin could be seen getting emotional as she earned her first podium finish in the Giant Slalom in nearly two years. Vonn commented on the post, showing her support for her national teammate:”💪🏻💪🏻,”
Vonn’s most recent races at the Tarvisio World Cup in January saw her claim second in the Super-G and third in the downhill. With three Olympic medals already to her name, she is determined to expand her legacy in what promises to be her final Olympic chapter.
Vonn Discusses Her Comeback
In 2019, Vonn was forced to retire due to repeated severe injuries, with her left knee injuries that season being the final breaking point. In April 2024, she underwent partial knee replacement surgery, allowing her to return to the sport.
In an interview with People Magazine, Vonn discussed how it felt physically to make her return to the sport:
“My body was so different.I didn’t have any pain at all; my knee didn’t swell. I felt like I could do anything. The thought of ski racing again, something I loved to do so much, but without pain, was really exciting.”
In the conversation, Vonn added that she had built an ‘amazing’ life for herself and was ‘really happy’ in retirement. She stated that the ultimate reason for her comeback was that her career didn’t end the way she wanted, and now she is in full control.
