A commentary by “Krone” reporter Georg Fraisl about the impressive performance of the now 40-year-old Lindsey Vonn during the descent in St. Anton!
The clock on the church tower in St. Anton read 12.19pm as the 4,500 spectators in the nearby ski stadium cheered as if an Austrian had taken the best time from Italy’s Federica Brignone. But the 40-year-old lady who is bathed in enthusiasm only speaks German with an Austrian dialect – she actually comes from the US, lives on the beach in Miami and amazes the ski world.
“Yes – you must have big balls!”
In the second race of her second career with an artificial knee, Lindsey Vonn reached the top 10 for the first time and was able to attend the award ceremony in sixth place in St. Anton in the evening. “The atmosphere was great,” Vonn beamed, “that gives me energy. Everything doesn’t end at 40. You can do anything if you work hard. Almost like before. While I was not at my limit at all.”
After all, the American impressively showed that she has exactly what she believes is urgently needed in St. Anton on the Karl Schranz route: “Balls – eggs!” Lindsey laughed happily: “Yes – you must even have big balls.”
“Today we came full circle!”
Nina Ortlieb grinned slightly at these words. And formulated: “Yes, every descent requires courage. But days like today help me regain my self-confidence.”
The 28-year-old from Lech on the other side of the Arlberg proved once again in her home race that she has courage like no other. After 22 operations and a broken tibia and fibula in December 2023, she fearlessly took to the wild slopes – and reached the top 10 for the first time in the fourth comeback race.
At the finish, Nina raised her right arm in celebration and was warmly embraced by her friend Kajsa Vickhoff Lie. For the first time, Ortlieb was able to show how much she loves the St. Anton route during the World Cup. Three retirements and a 26th place in the 2023 Super G are now compared to an eighth place: “I took part in my very first European Cup race here in St. Anton in 2013 – and came seventh. Today comes full circle for me,” Nina said, with obvious relief.
Source: Krone
I am George Kunkel, an author working for Today Times Live. I specialize in opinion pieces and cover stories that are both informative and thought-provoking – helping to shape public discourse on key issues. My work is regularly featured across the network’s many platforms, including print media and social media.
