Austrian ski resort Sölden, which will host the opening rounds of the 24-25 Alpine Skiing World Cup Tour the weekend after this, have issued a press release saying that American ski-racing great Lindsey Vonn will be returning to compete in the Women’s GS competition on Saturday 26th October.
Austrian ski resort Sölden, which will host the opening rounds of the 24-25 Alpine Skiing World Cup Tour the weekend after this, have issued a press release saying that American ski-racing great Lindsey Vonn will be returning to compete in the Women’s GS competition on Saturday 26th October.
Vonn, who retired five years ago and is reported to have had a total knee replacement earlier this year, had been hinting at a return in her social media posts. Following her illustrious career, she became the first woman to ski Kitzbühel’s infamous Hahnenkamm course last year (pictured above) and it is actually her 40th birthday today.
Even without Vonn, the opening weekend’s races were already looking extra exciting for fans as another retired great, Austria’s Marcel Hirscher, had already announced a return five years after he too retired,, in his case racing for his mother’s birth nation, The Netherlands. Norway’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen who retired aged just 23 a year ago, is also back, also now racing for his mother’s nation, which in his case is Brazil.
Early season conditions continue to be good on Alpine glaciers, where a dozen centres are already open and the course passed an FIS inspection yesterday.
“The current training conditions are really excellent. The athletes also confirm this,” says Sölden’s Slope Director Isidor Grüner.
World Cup Opening Sölden
Friday, 25.10.24
from 17.00 World Cup Party & drawing of Women’s bib numbers – Giggijoch Gondola car park
Saturday, 26.10.24
10.00 – 1st run: Women’s Giant Slalom – Rettenbach Glacier
13.00 – 2nd run: Women’s Giant Slalom – Rettenbach Glacier
followed by presentation of winners & Glacier Party
from 17.00 – World Cup Party, Fan Club Parade, prize giving ceremony and drawing of Men’s bib numbers – Giggijoch Gondola car park
Sunday, 27.10.24
10.00 – 1st run: Men’s Giant Slalom – Rettenbach Glacier
13.00 – 2nd run: Men’s Giant Slalom – Rettenbach Glacier
followed by Men’s award ceremony and prize giving & Glacier Party.