Lindsey Vonn on Birds of Prey World Cup: ‘Biggest crowd I’ve ever seen for a forerunner in my life’

Lindsey Vonn may not have raced in the historic women’s downhill event at Beaver Creek’s legendary Birds of Prey World Cup, but forerunning the course on Saturday proved to be an unforgettable experience. The 40-year-old skiing icon was greeted by an electric crowd, which she described as the largest she’s ever seen for a forerunner.

“I got a cheer just like as if I was racing,” Vonn shared, emphasizing the warmth and enthusiasm of the community. Although she couldn’t officially compete due to delays in updated FIS points, Vonn is set to make her World Cup comeback in St. Moritz next weekend, where she’s eager to showcase her skills at full speed.

While fulfilling her forerunning duties, Vonn also provided race insights to her U.S. Ski Team teammates, which contributed to Lauren Macuga’s career-best fourth-place finish. Reflecting on the podium featuring familiar names like Cornelia Hütter, Sofia Goggia, and Lara Gut-Behrami, Vonn noted, “It’s all the same players, just a different day.

” She remains focused on refining her equipment and strategy to compete at her best. Despite taking only 85% effort during her forerunning run, Vonn’s presence at Beaver Creek signaled a promising return to competitive skiing. “I’m really close,” she said, confident that her performance will peak when it matters most.