Lindsey Vonn’s career is intricately linked with the Italian resort Cortina d’Ampezzo, affectionately known as “the Queen of the Dolomites.” At 41, she is preparing to compete for an Olympic medal while recovering from a left knee injury, marking another chapter in a relationship with this venue that spans nearly 25 years.
Among the key motivations behind her comeback after almost six years of retirement is the opportunity to return to the site hosting the women’s alpine skiing events at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Vonn herself acknowledges that the location plays a pivotal role in her return, emphasizing that the allure of Cortina has drawn her back one final time.
Reflecting on her career in Cortina during an extensive interview, Vonn recounted major career landmarks including her first podium finish, a milestone marking her World Cup victories, and setting a course record with 12 wins. Additionally, the venue has been central to personal moments such as family reunions with her sister who resides in Italy, and rare appearances by her mother at European races.
Vonn’s debut in Cortina came in January 2002 at a World Cup super-G event, just before her maiden Olympic appearance at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. Although she failed to finish that initial race, she recalls it as a moment colored with nerves about making the Olympic team. While her skiing was solid, the inability to complete the race underscored that she had yet to fully piece together her potential during this formative stage.
The following year, Vonn’s record shows no participation in Cortina, which she attributes to being demoted back to the Europa Cup circuit amid stronger support for teammate Julia Mancuso. At that point, deciding between technical and speed events, Vonn was still figuring out her best fit and working on her physical development. This period of reassessment led her to employ a physical trainer and commit fully to building her strength and focus.
Returning to Cortina in 2004 became a turning point for Vonn. She secured her first World Cup podium in the resort, finishing third in a downhill race won by Olympic champion Carole Montillet, narrowly missing second place by one-hundredth of a second. A fifth-place finish the day prior in the downhill event set the stage for this breakthrough.
Vonn credits this weekend as solidifying her physical and mental routines and instilling the confidence that she belonged among the world’s best. A key moment was a video review session with longtime coach Alex Hoedlmoser, who encouraged her and helped affirm her capabilities. Subsequent celebrations included calls to her family back home, marking a special milestone in her early career.
Cortina has since remained a venue where Vonn feels a deep sense of familiarity and comfort. She compares it to Lake Louise, a Canadian resort where she also experienced significant success. Both locations represent places where her experience translates to a clear understanding of how to approach the courses and competitions without hesitation, regardless of prior results.
The emotional resonance of Cortina extends to significant family moments, including the weekend in 2015 when Vonn broke the 35-year-old World Cup wins record held by Annemarie Moser-Pröll, achieving her 63rd victory. Despite Tiger Woods stealing headlines during that period, it was the presence of Vonn’s family—her father, stepmothers, mother, sister Laura—that made the occasion truly memorable. Family attendance at World Cup races has been sparse during her career, making this particular reunion especially cherished, particularly since her mother's passing in 2022 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
However, Vonn’s experiences in Cortina have also involved hardship. In 2019, she faced the harsh reality of retiring from competition as ongoing knee and joint pain became insurmountable. Following a partial joint replacement in her right knee, she courageously returned to racing in the last season and now is poised to test her resilience again at the upcoming Olympics in Cortina.
The intertwined narrative of Lindsey Vonn and Cortina d’Ampezzo remains compelling as the athlete continues to seek new successes in a location that has shaped her past and fuels her present ambitions. Her story is one of perseverance, family bonds, and an indelible connection to a place that represents much more than just a racecourse.