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Lindsey Vonn completes first Alpine skiing races in nearly 6 years

Lindsey Vonn competed in two lower-level downhills in Copper Mountain, Colorado, on Saturday, using her first races since February 2019 as a training opportunity.

Vonn, who on Nov. 14 announced she was rejoining the U.S. ski team, finished 24th and 27th as the 39th starter in fields of 43.

She was 1.44 seconds and 1.53 seconds behind Austrian winners Mirjam Puchner and Cornelia Huetter, respectively.

“Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again!” was posted on Vonn’s social media. “While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove. This is only the beginning and the way I’m skiing is more important than the times at this point.”

This weekend’s races are on the FIS level — below the top-level World Cup — but many World Cup-caliber skiers are taking part in preparation for next weekend’s World Cup stop in Beaver Creek, Colorado.

Vonn, 40, must first compete at a lower level to become eligible to return to the World Cup. Her schedule beyond this weekend has not been announced.

Before returning to train with the U.S. team in Copper Mountain, Vonn separately trained in New Zealand and Austria.

“I’ve really only been training since October so… I’m far ahead of where I thought I could be at this stage,” she posted after Saturday’s races.

Vonn won the 2010 Olympic downhill gold medal, four World Cup overall titles and 82 individual races on the World Cup in an 18-year career before retiring in 2019 due to the physical toll ski racing injuries took on her body.

She returned this year after undergoing partial right knee replacement surgery in April.

Lindsey Vonn is rejoining the U.S. Alpine skiing team at age 40 after a nearly six-year retirement.