2024 looks like the ideal ‘comeback’ season to us. Why? Well, Mikaela Shiffrin is set to return to the snowy slopes to complete her century of wins at the World Cup races. After which, ‘Is Lindsey Vonn returning?’ Was the sound that had reverberated around the alpine skiing arena for the longest time. First, Vonn was spotted fine-tuning her skiing skills during the off-season in New Zealand, which sparked speculations. And now, a determined confession comes straight from the pro’s mouth.
She’s 39 currently and has 82 ski wins on her resume, trailing slightly behind Shiffrin. But, it finally seems she’s found her comfort spot. Lindsey Vonn added an Instagram post on October 10, on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, doing what she loves the most. She wrote, “What makes me happy?…skiing!⛷️❤️” along with a video of her sailing downhill as smoothly as ever.
Lindsey Vonn further penned an important mental health message, that read, “I am not defined by skiing, I am simply a woman that loves to ski. I know the difference now. I don’t need skiing to make me happy but my love for it will never go away.” Admittedly, Lindsey Vonn was “Thankful to be back on the mountain again” where she felt the most peace and joy. Only this time her sense of happiness was not entirely dependent on it.
Just a few days before, she sat down with Laures Academy to discuss mental health, where she confessed, “I’ve faced mental health issues since I was 18. dealing with depression and isolation.” She found it almost bizarre how she could feel alone even when surrounded by a crowd. The competitive lifestyle restricted her to a rigid pattern: win races, then retreat to an empty hotel room. She avoided relying too much on her competitors, which only deepened the sense of isolation. Despite the victories, the solitude that came with the sport was a constant companion.
She mentions how she and Michael Phelps have discussed mental health for years, though initially, the topic was seen as a sign of weakness. Today, she believes it is the most important aspect of an athlete’s life, emphasizing that sports should be “helpful, not hurtful.” Speaking of hurt, Lindsey Vonn has also been plagued by a history of long-standing injuries, which led her to recently opt for a major surgery to address those issues.