Lindsey Vonn is no longer taking any risks

Races on Austrian soil have always suited Lindsey Vonn well. The American ski star has stood on the podium seven times in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, including four victories. The 41-year-old doesn't want to risk everything for another win this coming weekend; her focus is clearly on the Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

08 January 2026

From: apa/dl

“I’m waiting for February. I’ve been training, I’m fast, but I’m not at my limit,” she said ahead of the World Cup speed double this weekend. For her, it’s important to finish and be healthy in February.

“I know I can ski faster. But it doesn’t make sense for me right now. I’ve done it so many times, hopefully I’m wiser at my age,” she said, making it clear she didn’t want to risk crashing. This winter, Vonn competed in the five speed races in St. Moritz and Val d’Isère, achieving an impressive record of one win, one second place, two third places, and one fourth place. She leads the downhill World Cup standings and is third in the Super-G standings.

Far behind in training

In Zauchensee, Vonn spoke with a hoarse voice after the first training run (3,30 seconds behind), but said it sounded worse than it was. "Yesterday I slept ten or twelve hours. Today I'm feeling much better. It's not as bad as what the Americans experienced in Val d'Isère, but I'm not 100 percent fit." She was quite satisfied with her run, but hoped for less headwind this weekend. "From a skiing perspective, it's fine. It's a great course for me."

Nadia Delago finished sixth in training. © APA / EXPA/ JOHANN GRODER

Germany's Kira Weidle-Winkelmann was fastest in the first training run, ahead of Austria's Christina Ager, Mirjam Puchner, and Lena Wechner. Nadia Delago was the best Italian, finishing sixth. The other South Tyrolean skiers, Vicky Bernardi (23rd), Sara Thaler (38th), and Nicol Delago (41st), were not among the fastest, nor was Sofia Goggia (39th).

Keywords Alpine skiing lindsey vonn Altenmarkt-Zauchensee Nadia Delago