Lindsey Vonn accumulated 84 World Cup race victories during a professional alpine skiing career that spanned over two decades. Born in 1984 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, she transitioned from a youth development program at Buck Hill to become one of the most decorated athletes in the history of international winter sports.
Early Development and Competitive Ascent
Vonn began skiing at age two, eventually joining Erich Sailer's program in Burnsville. Her family moved to Colorado in the late 1990s to support her training at Ski Club Vail. In 1999, she won slalom events at the Trofeo Topolino di Sci Alpino in Italy. She made her World Cup debut in Park City, Utah, on November 18, 2000, at age 16. Her first World Cup podium occurred in January 2004, followed by her first victory in December 2004 at Lake Louise, Alberta.
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Over her career, Vonn secured four World Cup overall championships between 2008 and 2012. She earned a record eight season titles in downhill and five in super-G, along with three consecutive titles in the combined. In 2016, she reached 20 total World Cup crystal globe titles, surpassing the previous record held by Ingemar Stenmark. She stands as one of only six women to win World Cup races across all five alpine disciplines.
Olympic Performance and Later Career
Vonn competed in multiple Winter Olympics, starting with the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City. At the 2010 Winter Olympics, she captured a gold medal in downhill, marking the first such win for an American woman. Following her initial retirement in 2019 due to physical injuries, she returned to competition in November 2024. At age 41, she won a downhill World Cup race, becoming the oldest athlete to achieve this feat.
Professional Honors and Beyond Sport
Her accolades include the 2011 Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year and multiple ESPY awards. Outside of professional skiing, Vonn has worked as a television presenter, including a stint as a correspondent for NBC News during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. She also contributes to fields related to healthy lifestyles and maintains proficiency in German.
Fast facts
- Born: 1984, Saint Paul, Minnesota
- World Cup wins: 84
- Olympic downhill gold: 2010
- Total crystal globes: 20
- Education: University of Missouri High School
- Language proficiency: English, German
- Retirement announced: 2019
- Return to competition: 2024
Questions readers ask
How many World Cup races did Vonn win?
She recorded 84 World Cup victories during her career.
What major awards did she receive?
She was awarded the 2011 Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year and received multiple ESPY awards for Best Female Athlete.
