In 2019, the buzz around the slopes was that Lindsey Vonn, the legendary four-time USA Olympian with an incredible 82 World Cup victories, had hung up her skis. However, her legacy endures, forever etched in our hearts. As she once said, “I had dreamed of winning the Olympics since I was nine years old,” and she proved it. Yet, behind her triumphs lies a lesser-known tale of struggle particularly in her early years as an athlete. She has benefactors to thank and kith and kin to get behind for her winning streaks.

In a recent revelation, Vonn discusses her family’s pivotal role in her ascent to Olympic greatness. Despite not having the financial means typically associated with elite athletes, Vonn’s family became her pillars of strength, offering invaluable support and making sacrifices that paved the way for her remarkable success on the slopes.

Lindsey Vonn’s rags to riches story unveiled in a tete-a-tete with Dwayne Wade
In a recent podcast on YouTube featuring Dwayne Wade, the celebrated American former professional basketball player, with an audience of 90.8k subscribers, he cordially welcomed Lindsey Vonn to his show. When questioned about her passion for skiing, Vonn responded with genuine enthusiasm. She expressed that she loved skiing fast; it was what excited her the most. Reflecting on its origins, she admitted uncertainty, but emphasized her genuine love for the sport. Recalling her childhood, she fondly remembered skiing as the primary bonding activity for her family. She added, “We didn’t go to the beach. we didn’t really have any money for those kinds of things, so you know, we jumped in my grandfather’s old suburban and we drive to Colorado, and we all go skiing.”

She further explained, “When I started racing, I honestly wasn’t very fast. I just loved doing it. Then, as I got better, I decided I wanted to be in the Olympics.” When pressed for details, Vonn elaborated on her experience. She began dedicating herself to rigorous training, pushing to increase her speed. That’s when her passion truly blossomed. Describing her technique, she likened it to the sensation of driving a car downhill. Just as one accelerates by pressing the gas pedal, she finds herself gaining momentum simply by pointing her skis downhill. Her family-backed Olympic glory isn’t bereft of struggles and accidents, most important.

Vonn’s roadblock in 2013
Further divulging her experiences, Vonn disclosed her initial setback in 2013. It marked her first crash, serving as a precursor to a series of unfortunate events. She tore her MCL off the bone, resulting in a string of surgeries and injuries. Despite the MCL’s usual rapid healing process because of its rich blood flow, the severity of the tear complicates matters.

Despite wearing a brace and adhering to all necessary precautions, nine months later, she encountered a similar injury again, underscoring the precarious nature of ski racing where even the slightest error can result in a devastating crash. We wish her crash free post retirement shenaingans though.