Lindsey Vonn finished her first Olympic training run with the 11th fastest time just seven days after tearing her ACL at the Crans-Montana World Cup in Switzerland.
The 1 minute and 40 second run was an essential step in her Olympic qualification, wherein she had to complete at least one official training run before competing. This was the first official run she has taken since she ruptured the ligament in her knee.
“Nothing makes me happier!” Vonn wrote on Instagram ahead of her run on Friday. “No one would have believed I would be here … but I made it!! I’m here, I’m smiling and no matter what, I know how lucky I am. I’m not going to waste this chance. Let’s go get it!!”
Thursday’s opening training run was canceled due to heavy snowfall and poor visibility, trimming the scheduled three days of training down to two, with the next session set for Saturday.
Friday morning brought another delay with an 80-minute course hold caused by thick fog, leaving the U.S. Ski Team to pass the time by learning a dance together at the top of the course.