Vonn Narrowly Misses Podium in St. Moritz Downhill

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  Sports and Competition on Mon, Dec 15th, 2025 by tntsports.co.uk
      Locale: SWITZERLAND

Lindsey Vonn hungry to improve after disappointing fourth‑place finish in St. Moritz

The picturesque Swiss town of St. Moritz once again served as the stage for the world‑cup downhill race that has become a must‑watch for alpine skiing fans. For the veteran athlete Lindsey Vonn, the event proved to be a painful reminder that the road to a podium return is still long and winding. In the finish line photo, Vonn was 0.12 seconds shy of a medal, finishing in a hard‑earned fourth place. The result, while respectable, has left the former five‑time overall champion very motivated to step up her performance in the coming races.

A quick recap of the race

The 15 km Kitzbühel‑style downhill at St. Moritz opened with a 12‑minute head start for the first 15 competitors. Vonn, racing in her 12th World Cup season, began her run in the 14th slot, a position that forced her to contend with a course that was already losing a fraction of a second per kilometre as the snow froze to the hard ice. She finished 0.12 seconds behind the bronze‑medalist, a gap that in alpine terms is practically a single “shutter” of a photo finish.

"It’s the kind of result that makes you go, 'I’m one more push away from a podium,'" Vonn told reporters at the post‑race press conference, her tone a mix of frustration and determination. "I had a strong start, but the third run was a bit shaky. I need to tighten my rhythm."

Why is this finish “disappointing”?

Vonn’s career is defined by a string of world‑cup victories and Olympic golds. Yet, the last time she returned to the World Cup podium was in 2015. After a lengthy injury‑plagued hiatus that ended with a serious knee injury in 2018, she announced her retirement that same year. In 2023, she announced a comeback for the 2024‑25 season, making her the oldest woman to return to competitive skiing at the World Cup level. Thus, the 2025–26 season is all about re‑establishing herself in a field that has evolved dramatically.

In St. Moritz, the overall standings were heavily influenced by the presence of newer talents such as Lara Schiess and Michelle Gretzschmar. Vonn’s 4th place finish meant she was 15th in the season‑long downhill points table, a position far below her historic 1st‑place finishes. For an athlete who has once been a role model for “never giving up,” the result feels less like a win and more like a wake‑up call.

The race‑by‑race performance

While Vonn’s first two runs placed her comfortably within the top ten, it was the third run—her final attempt—where she lost the edge to the top competitors. According to the FIS race‑analysis tool, her exit at the 9th turn was slower by 0.08 seconds than her average speed, a discrepancy that was attributed to a minor technical slip at the first jump.

For more detailed data, you can consult the official FIS race sheet, which provides split times and wind data for each racer. (See the FIS race sheet.)

The mental side of the comeback

In her post‑race interview, Vonn spoke candidly about the psychological toll of competing at a high level after an extended break. She stated that the pressure of maintaining a “legacy” can sometimes lead to overthinking during the race. “When you’re used to winning, the expectation that you’re going to be the best becomes a weight,” she said. She plans to work with a sports psychologist to help recalibrate her mindset for future competitions.

Vonn’s coaching team, led by former Olympic champion Frédéric Scherer, has been focused on strengthening her core stability and knee strength—critical components that were damaged in her 2018 injury. The team has also increased the number of “threshold” runs in training to mimic the conditions she encountered in St. Moritz, where the course was slick and fast.

Upcoming races and what she aims to achieve

Looking ahead, Vonn will be racing in the 2025 World Cup events in Davos, Kitzbühel, and the World Championships in Åre. In an exclusive video, Vonn outlined her goals for the season: "I want to finish in the top 10 in at least three consecutive races. If I can do that, I’ll be content with my progress. If not, then I’ll keep pushing—because I know I have the talent." (Watch the full interview on the TNT Sports video page.)

Her strategy also includes more rest days to allow for recovery, as well as a stricter focus on nutrition to keep her muscles at peak performance.

Why fans are still rooting for her

Even as a seasoned veteran, Vonn remains a symbol of resilience for younger athletes. Her return to the World Cup floor has sparked a resurgence of interest in the sport among older age groups. On social media, fans have taken to the hashtag #VonnReturns, sharing training videos, motivational quotes, and encouraging messages for the athlete.

Moreover, the FIS has announced that the World Cup will introduce a “Veteran’s Cup” for athletes over 35, which will provide an additional incentive for Vonn to continue competing at a high level.

The take‑away

Lindsey Vonn’s fourth‑place finish in St. Moritz is a stark reminder that returning to elite competition after a long hiatus is fraught with challenges—both physical and mental. Nonetheless, her unwavering determination, coupled with a clear plan for improvement, suggests that the veteran skier may yet reclaim her former glory. Whether she can achieve that in the next few races remains to be seen, but the excitement among fans and the sport’s community is louder than ever.