Lindsey Vonn makes history with second-place finish in World Cup race

Lindsey Vonn’s return to the podium — six years since stepping away from ski racing, 11 months since her partial knee replacement, four months since announcing her return — hit her hard in the finish area.

SUN VALLEY, Idaho — Lindsey Vonn’s return to the podium — six years since stepping away from ski racing, 11 months since her partial knee replacement, four months since announcing her return — hit her hard in the finish area.

Struggling to catch her breath, but still managing the energy to raise her ski poles in celebration, the tears fell. They were for joy and relief that she could even make it back to the World Cup circuit. They were for the satisfaction of proving all her doubters wrong. They were, she explained, for showing “this adventure that I set myself on is worth something.”

Vonn concluded her comeback season at age 40 with a second-place finish in a World Cup super-G race Sunday that was won by Swiss standout Lara Gut-Behrami. Vonn became the oldest female Alpine ski racer to step on the podium of a World Cup race — by six years.

Lindsey Vonn holds up her second place medal Sunday.Alexis Boichard / /Agence Zoom / Getty Images“It was (expletive) hard,” Vonn said. “This is not easy what I’m doing. It just felt really good to say I did it. That I can still do it.”

Vonn found her vintage form while flying down the twisting and steep Challenger course at World Cup finals. The 82-time World Cup winner — along with three-time Olympic medalist — glanced at the scoreboard and soaked in the roar of the large crowd.

https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/sports/lindsey-vonn-makes-history-world-cup-race-rcna197790

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