Around the World
Lindsey Vonn - No Sweat, No Glory
The alpine ski star is set to return to the slopes, having battled through a major knee injury.
In February of this year, Lindsey Vonn’s stellar season was abruptly cut short when she sustained a devastating knee injury during a competition. Instead of finishing her season battling it out on the slopes, Lindsey faced a new set of both physical and mental challenges – not only having to overcome the initial surgery itself but also rebuilding her strength, stability and stamina in time for the new season ahead, and the Winter Olympics.
Thankfully, Lindsey’s rock-solid determination has seen her fight her way back to fitness. In her first interview with Red Bull since our last check-in in May, Lindsey talks of her hopes for the future, how she’s learned to be patient, and how the rehabilitation process has seen her gain an insight into the bigger picture… all as she prepares to take over the slopes once again.
So how did it feel to make your first public appearance without your leg brace?
It felt wonderful to be ‘free’! Since the moment they put it on I was aching to get it off. I had quite a few of them too. They changed my braces from the one I got in the first hospital to a new one after surgery to gradually more mobile braces. But now I am finally I am myself again. It feels like in the movie ‘Forest Gump’!
Did you learn anything new about yourself or your abilities through the injury rehab process?
In the last months I had to learn to be patient; my knee gave me limitations I wasn’t used to. I had to gradually ease back into my training. Step by step I made progress though. It wasn’t easy and doing nothing at the very beginning was a difficult challenge. So in that sense I learned to just be patient and take things a bit more slowly. It’s a hard balance between pushing yourself and knowing where your weaknesses are.
You’ve been quoted as saying that you’re in a new chapter of your life now - has time out from competing given you a chance to reflect on and enjoy this?
I’ve been lucky in my career that I’ve been strong and healthy. This is basically one of my first season-ending injuries. I am used to having the same process after the season: testing, training, and preparing for the upcoming season. This year it was totally different due to my injury. Every athlete comes across these injuries and no one is ever quite the same after them. I like to use everything that’s happened to me to my advantage, and this year I am definitely motivated in the right direction. I am happy to have taken this long over-due time to spend with my friends and family and excited to be back on the snow!
In Red Bull’s last interview with you shortly after your accident, you said that you won’t be back on snow until you’re 110% sure that your knee can take the pounding of ski racing. A few months on since that interview, how are you feeling about the prospect of getting back on the snow?
I’m already really looking forward to be back on the snow again. I know I have excellent trainers and a good routine to get back into shape quickly. Already I am ahead of where I thought I would be since my last interview with Red Bull. Anything is possible and I’m definitely ready mentally!
What was the most frustrating or challenging part of your rehabilitation?
There was not one specific part of the rehab that was the most frustrating but there have been a lot of ups and downs, little setbacks… but I’ve always tried to stay positive and think of the big picture – the Olympic Games in Sochi.
What was the most rewarding aspect of your rehabilitation?
The most rewarding aspect of this injury is the support that I get from my fans and the people around me. It’s always really touching to see the nice posts from my fans on Facebook; all the ‘get well’ wishes helped me a lot! Moreover, the entire team around me, the US Ski Team and Athletes Special Projects. Red Bull is always there for me – it’s just like a big family!
You mentioned in your last interview with Red Bull that you were bored and didn’t deal well with just sitting around. Apart from rehab and training, how did you keep yourself occupied?
It was hard to sit around! I can’t remember the last time I took a day off and really sat in bed but after the surgery I was forced to. I tried to relax and luckily I had a lot of support from my family and friends who visited and kept me entertained. I watched a lot of Law & Order (my favorite show) and my very best friend brought me an endless supply of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. So I definitely made the most of it!
How has your rehab affected your summer training – are you pleased with your progress, and are you on schedule for Sochi in 2014?
Yes, I’m pretty happy about the progress, everything is on schedule! So let’s keep our fingers crossed that the next few weeks, and then the first training on snow, will go well.
Aside from World Cup and Olympic success, what else do you hope 2013/14 will bring?
I am very optimistic for the 2013/14 season. I think this injury has given me an entirely new perspective on how to break through your obstacles. I hope I can give all the young skiers a positive message about never giving up. Setbacks are part of the process and without those setbacks we learn what is important to us and whether your goals are worth fighting for. I have a lot of fight left in me; I’m still young, and with my training and my Red Bull team, I have big aspirations for this season.
If you had to pick three words to sum up the past twelve months, what would you choose?
Goals. Determination. Love.
Without first setting a goal for yourself you are going to go nowhere. Without determination you will never get to your goal. Finally, it is extremely important that you love what you do! Love it and fight for it with everything you have. I am so blessed to be doing what I love and to have the people that I love help me to reach my goals.
And could you provide three words to describe your hopes and aspirations for next season?
Fight. 110% (if that counts as a word!). Win.
I am going to fight all day, every day until I get to Sochi. I will give it 110%, all I have, and hopefully I will succeed.
Source: redbull.com
