Vonn Hits Gate, Doesn't Finish in World Championships Return

Lindsey Vonn, at 40, returned to the ski circuit at the Alpine skiing world championships after retiring for nearly six years. During the super-G event, despite feeling ill with cold- and flu-like symptoms, her right arm got hooked on a gate. Vonn, undeterred, managed to stop without falling and reassured the spectators, saying, "I'm OK. I hit my nerve somehow and I hit the gate and lost feeling in my arm but it's coming back slowly."

She expressed pride in her 22-year-old American teammate, Lauren Macuga, who tied for third place, winning a medal in her first world championship race—a feat Vonn had not achieved at her first worlds 20 years ago. Vonn said: "I am really excited for Lauren, she skied amazing. I'm really proud of her."

The seasoned skier, equipped with a new titanium right knee, aims to compete in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, which open exactly a year from Thursday. Vonn holds a record of 12 wins at Cortina d'Ampezzo, the venue for the women's skiing events at the games. Vonn plans to continue her participation in this week's events, including a training session on Friday and the downhill race on Saturday. Additionally, she will partake in the new team combined event on Tuesday. Vonn said: "I didn't wait six years to be staying in bed because I'm sick." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)