Lindsey Vonn focus is singular: The World Cup

By Published On: August 18th, 2011Comments Off on Lindsey Vonn focus is singular: The World Cup

Lindsey Vonn says she’s feeling “more prepared,” “more confident,” and is looking forward to concentrating on the World Cup this coming season. Aside from a short break immediately following the end of the 2010-11 season, Vonn has been building toward regaining the World Cup overall title she held in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

“Honestly, I really didn’t stop working out,” Vonn said. “I spent probably three weeks off with my brother and family and Thomas, but I was still working out. It wasn’t a legitimate program, but I was very motivated after last season. I didn’t want to take as much time off as I did last year.”

The motivation was supplied by Maria Riesch. After three seasons on top of the ski racing World, Vonn overcame a 200 point deficit at the end of last season only to get edged by long-time friend and rival Riesch (now Maria Hoefl-Riesch) by three points. Vonn’s Cup point total of 1725 was the second highest of her career and is easily the most ever garnered by a second place finisher.

To say that was distasteful to her would be understatement.

Within a month of the final race of the season Vonn was back in the gym, in San Diego, with a team of Red Bull trainers. Then she headed over to Europe for another month long session with Red Bull.

“That was two months straight,” she says, “with a little break for Wimbledon and the ESPYs.”

Then it was off to New Zealand, a week ahead of the U.S. Ski Team camp “to get the equipment dialed in. … We got lucky with snow conditions.” Which translates to: good hard ice.

The testing was confined to GS and slalom skis and the GS testing, in particular, seems to have gone well. “GS is in a really, really good spot,” Vonn said. “The set-ups are holding on ice. It’s tough
on ice. Without stability it’s hard to be confident.”

There is still some work left on the slalom set-up. “That’s been been my weakest spot,” Vonn says. “I’ve been playing with a lot of different things. We’re testing everything, skis, boots, plates, ski construction. Six pair of skis each day and when you add boots to the mix that’s a lot of combination to try.”

Still, all in all, Lindsey Vonn is ready to go retrieve her World Cup overall title. “I feel like I’m more prepared this season. I feel that by not really taking fitness time off I feel like I’m in a better place than last year and am more confident at this point of the season, looking forward.”

Without a World Championship or Olympics on the schedule 2011-2012 is all about the World Cup. “There will be a lot of travel this year but the focus is on the World Cup. I am looking forward to a new season.”

The unsaid part is that matter of regaining the overall crown.

Vonn and Hoefl-Riesch by Gepa
Cover of Vonn on course by Gepa

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About the Author: Hank McKee

In memoriam: The veteran of the staff, McKee started with Ski Racing in 1980. Over the seasons, he covered virtually every aspect of the sport, from the pro tours to junior racing, freestyle and World Cup alpine competition. He wrote the first national stories for many U.S. team stars, and was still around to report on their retirements. “Longevity has its rewards,” he said, “but it’s a slow process.”