Lindsey Vonn also fought back tears. © ANSA / CLAUDIO THOMA

"I've never heard my dad cry like that before."

After her sensational victory in the downhill race in St. Moritz, ski queen Lindsey Vonn was overcome with emotion. But she wasn't the only one.

12 December 2025

From: det

With this performance, Lindsey Vonn has impressed not only the skiing world, but the entire sporting world. At the age of 41 and with a partial knee replacement, the American dominated the competition on Friday. snatched victory in the first downhill race of the season in St. Moritz – by one second, mind you.

After crossing the finish line, Vonn was ecstatic – and she wasn't the only one. As the now 83-time World Cup winner explained in an interview with the... SRF She explained that her father was completely overwhelmed with emotion at home in front of the television. "I talked to my father on the phone, he cried like I've never heard him cry before in my life. He supported me, as did my entire team. Now all the hard work has paid off," said Vonn, who herself fought back tears during the awards ceremony.

Lindsey Vonn celebrates her sensational victory. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

But what was the key to her success? After all, the 41-year-old completely outclassed her opponents. Sofia Goggia (4th place) finished almost a second and a half behind. "I knew in the summer that I was in good shape. I finally sorted out my equipment. Now I can ski the way I want – without pain, without problems, my mind is clear. That makes me very happy," said the ski queen.

"My goal is in February." Lindsey Vonn

Her first World Cup victory since 2018 (and thus her first since returning to racing in December 2024) is an absolute highlight for Vonn, but still only one step on the way to her ultimate goal – the Olympic Games in February. “My goal is February, so I have to conserve my energy to stay in good shape. There have been so many injuries lately, I have to be careful. But I don’t feel like I took any risks on today’s run. That’s a good feeling.”

Lindsey Vonn and her coach Aksel Lund Svindal. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

Vonn has certainly given her competitors a good scare; after all, such a performance automatically catapults her into the role of favorite at the Olympics. Winning gold there is the great dream of the American, who actually ended her career in 2019 but returned five years later. The next downhill race in St. Moritz starts at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday. Vonn will now be the overwhelming favorite there as well.