Sat Jan 11 13:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Vonn Returns to World Cup Downhill with Impressive Sixth-Place Finish
**ST. ANTON, Austria** – Lindsey Vonn, the greatest women’s downhill World Cup racer of all time, made a remarkable return to the sport on Saturday, finishing sixth in her first downhill race in six years. The 40-year-old American, competing with bib number 32, clocked a speed of 77 mph on the first part of the course and initially held fifth place, a result she described as a “great start” despite acknowledging mistakes. However, a strong performance by World Cup debutant Malorie Blanc pushed Vonn down to sixth.
Vonn, whose last World Cup downhill was in 2019, competed with a titanium knee following surgery last year. She previously placed 14th in a super-G race three weeks ago. Despite the drop to sixth, Vonn expressed confidence, stating she felt more comfortable in downhill than super-G and was pleased with her performance on a course where she previously triumphed in 2007. The race, held in ideal conditions, took place on a shortened course due to recent snowfall. Vonn will compete in a super-G on Sunday before heading to Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, next week, a venue where she boasts 12 career World Cup wins.
First Piper 