Lindsey Vonn recently weighed in with support for fellow skiers, this time reacting to the men’s slalom podium in Wengen, Switzerland. Atle Lie McGrath and Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who are close friends off the slopes, finished first and second in the race.
After their performances, the duo celebrated together. Photos shared in the hours following the race showed McGrath and Braathen raising glasses, which highlighted the achievement and their long-standing friendship.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen and Atle Lie McGrath’s Post-Race Celebration Catches Lindsey Vonn’s Eye
McGrath won the race to claim his second consecutive slalom victory in Wengen, having also topped the podium there last year. In the latest race, the Norwegian-born Brazilian skier finished 0.47 seconds behind him.
A few hours after the race, Braathen shared a photo of the two enjoying a drink together, suggesting they were celebrating the result against a picturesque, snow-covered mountain backdrop. He captioned the post with, “🇨🇭🌞”.
The 41-year-old showed their support for fellow skiers, reacting to the post in the comments:
“Congrats you two!!”
While Braathen and McGrath have impressed this season with their consistent performances, Vonn has also enjoyed a standout campaign. The American continued her strong run by finishing second in the super-G at the World Cup race in Tarvisio, Italy, with yet another podium finish this season.
Already qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics, Vonn remains firmly in contention across disciplines. She currently leads the World Cup downhill standings and sits second in the super-G rankings.
Vonn Gets Candid on a Difficult Chapter After Stepping Away
Amid her on-snow success, Vonn has been open about the mental health challenges she faced after stepping away from the spotlight. She admitted that rediscovering a sense of purpose beyond competition proved difficult, describing that period with a striking metaphor during an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, saying, “My sun had gone out.”
The two-time world champion noted that she has seen many fellow athletes struggle in similar ways, with some failing to find a new sense of meaning after their careers slowed or ended. “I know many athletes who have failed to find a new sun,” she added.
Rather than turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms, Vonn shared she made a conscious decision to seek professional help. “Some people then look for this feeling in other things, some in unhealthy ways. I knew that I had to choose the healthy path,” she explained.
The choice eventually led her to therapy, which she credited with helping her navigate that difficult chapter and begin rebuilding a sense of balance and direction in her life.
