Lindsey

Vonn

Quick Facts

• Specialty: Downhill, Super-G, Slalom, Giant Slalom

Biographical Information

Lindsey Vonn began skiing at the age of three on Minnesota’s slopes, guided by her father and grandfather. By seven, she was competing, and at nine, she entered her first international events. Her dedication to skiing intensified through high school, leading to her Olympic debut in 2002.

Vonn is known for her resilience, overcoming numerous injuries, including severe knee damage and fractures, to dominate Alpine skiing. Outside the slopes, she is involved in philanthropy, inspiring young athletes and promoting youth sports initiatives through roles like her ambassador position for the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games.

Olympic Highlights

Vonn made her Olympic debut at 17 during the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Games, finishing sixth in the combined. Her performance at the Turin 2006 Olympic Games was marked by determination as she overcame a severe fall during training to finish eighth in the downhill and seventh in the super-G.

The pinnacle of her Olympic career came at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, where she became the first U.S. woman to win gold in the downhill. At the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games, she earned a bronze medal in downhill, cementing her legacy as one of the most decorated alpine skiers.

World Championship Highlights

Vonn earned her first world championship medals in 2007 with two silvers. In 2009, she won gold in both the downhill and super-G at the Val d’Isère world championships. Despite multiple injuries, she returned to win bronze in 2017 at the world championships in St. Moritz and again claimed bronze in downhill at the 2019 world championships in Åre, becoming the first woman to medal in six different editions of the event.

Career Highlights

Vonn’s career includes numerous FIS World Cup victories and crystal globes, establishing her as one of the most successful alpine skiers in history. She was the first woman to win in all five disciplines and set a record with multiple victories at Lake Louise. Her ability to excel in both speed and technical events has contributed to her legacy in the sport.

Early Career

Vonn’s competitive journey began with junior championships, and by her teenage years, she was competing internationally. Her breakthrough came with her Olympic debut at 17 in Salt Lake City 2002, where she laid the foundation for a career that would redefine U.S. alpine skiing on the global stage.

Olympic Experience

• 4-time Olympian; 3-time Olympic medalist (1 gold, 2 bronze)
  • Olympic Games Pyeongchang 2018, (Super Combined - Women), bronze (Downhill - Women), 6th (Super G - Women)
  • Olympic Games Vancouver 2010, (Giant Slalom - Women, Slalom - Women, Super Combined - Women), gold (Downhill - Women), bronze (Super G - Women)
  • Olympic Games Turin 2006, (Combination - Women, Giant Slalom - Women), 7th (Super G - Women), 8th (Downhill - Women), 14th (Slalom - Women)
  • Olympic Games Salt Lake City 2002, 6th (Combination - Women), 32th (Slalom - Women)

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2019 – (Super Combined - Women, Super G - Women), bronze (Downhill - Women)
• Years of participation: Downhill - Women 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2019; Super Combined - Women 2007, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2019; Super G - Women 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019; Giant Slalom - Women 2005, 2015; Slalom - Women 2007, 2009; Combination - Women 2005; Team - Mixed 2005
• Medals: 8 (2 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze)
  • Gold – 2009 (Downhill - Women, Super G - Women)
  • Silver – 2011 (Downhill - Women); 2007 (Downhill - Women, Super G - Women)
  • Bronze – 2019 (Downhill - Women); 2017 (Downhill - Women); 2015 (Super G - Women)