Born: 1984 (St. Paul, Minnesota)
Biography:
Lindsey Caroline Vonn (née Kildow) was born on October 18, 1984, in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is an American former World Cup alpine ski racer who competed for the US Ski Team. Vonn is widely regarded as one of the greatest ski racers of all time, with numerous accolades and achievements to her name.
Vonn’s career in alpine skiing began at a young age. She started skiing when she was just two years old and quickly displayed natural talent and potential. Recognizing her abilities, Vonn joined Erich Sailer’s development program at Burnsville’s Buck Hill, which had also produced other successful racers like Kristina Koznick. Under Sailer’s guidance, Vonn honed her skills and began to make a name for herself in the skiing world.
Vonn’s hard work and dedication paid off when she made her World Cup debut at the age of 16 in November 2000. Over the years, she established herself as a dominant force in alpine skiing, particularly in the speed events of downhill and super-G. Vonn’s aggressive and fearless style of skiing earned her numerous victories and titles.
One of Vonn’s most significant achievements came in 2010 when she won the gold medal in the downhill event at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. She became the first American woman to achieve this feat, cementing her status as an icon in American sports history. In addition to her Olympic gold, Vonn also won a bronze medal at the same games.
Throughout her career, Vonn amassed an impressive list of victories and records. She won four World Cup overall championships, becoming the third female skier to achieve this feat after Annemarie Moser-Pröll and Mikaela Shiffrin. Vonn secured three consecutive overall titles from 2008 to 2010 and another one in 2012. Additionally, she holds the record for the most World Cup victories in the downhill discipline, with eight season titles from 2008 to 2013, 2015, and 2016. Vonn also claimed five titles in super-G and three consecutive titles in the combined event.
Notably, Vonn is one of only six women to have won World Cup races in all five disciplines of alpine skiing: downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and super combined. She boasts an impressive career total of 82 World Cup victories, a record for women until it was surpassed by Mikaela Shiffrin in January 2023. Only Shiffrin and Ingemar Stenmark of Sweden have more victories than Vonn.
Vonn’s achievements go beyond her competitive success. In 2010, she received the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the world of sports. She was also named the United States Olympic Committee’s sportswoman of the year.
Throughout her career, Vonn faced numerous challenges and setbacks. Injuries plagued her, causing her to miss parts of several seasons, including most of the 2013 season and almost all of the 2014 season. Despite these setbacks, Vonn showed incredible resilience and determination, making remarkable comebacks and continuing to compete at the highest level.
Apart from her sporting endeavors, Vonn also worked as a correspondent for NBC News. During the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, she provided coverage while recovering from injury, showcasing her versatility and commitment to the sport.
In 2019, Vonn announced her retirement from professional skiing due to injuries. Her legacy in the sport is undeniable, with her impact extending far beyond her athletic accomplishments. Vonn’s determination, resilience, and trailblazing achievements have inspired countless young athletes, especially aspiring female skiers who look up to her as a role model.
Awards:
– Olympic Gold Medal – Downhill (2010)
– Olympic Bronze Medal – Super-G (2010)
– Four World Cup Overall Championships
– Eight World Cup Season Titles – Downhill discipline
– Five World Cup Season Titles – Super-G discipline
– Three World Cup Season Titles – Combined discipline
– Laureus Sportswoman of the Year (2010)
– United States Olympic Committee’s sportswoman of the year