Lindsey Vonn enjoys Thanksgiving back on the slopes
Injury is an occupational hazard for skiers. But for American Lindsey Vonn the road to recovery from a serious injury has been a long and painful one.
Vonn had to be airlifted off the slopes at this year's World Championships back in February after a horrific knee injury, which led to a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Vonn had to be airlifted off the slopes at this year's World Championships back in February after a horrific knee injury, which led to a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Vonn's rehabilitation was overseen by both Red Bull and the U.S. Ski Team, a case of a slowly-slowly approach to make sure no further damage was done to the joint.
Vonn's rehabilitation was overseen by both Red Bull and the U.S. Ski Team, a case of a slowly-slowly approach to make sure no further damage was done to the joint.
Vonn's return to action was in Chile's Andes Mountains where she insisted her damaged knee felt as good as her unaffected left knee, and that she felt absolutely no fear.
Vonn's return to action was in Chile's Andes Mountains where she insisted her damaged knee felt as good as her unaffected left knee, and that she felt absolutely no fear.
Vonn's attempted return to competitive skiing has come under heightened scrutiny because of her relationship with the world's No.1 ranked golfer Tiger Woods.
Vonn's attempted return to competitive skiing has come under heightened scrutiny because of her relationship with the world's No.1 ranked golfer Tiger Woods.
After spending time supporting Tiger on the greens, Vonn plans to return racing in the World Cup event in Colorado at the end of November.
After spending time supporting Tiger on the greens, Vonn plans to return racing in the World Cup event in Colorado at the end of November.
1
2
3
4
5
6
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Lindsey Vonn returns to the ski slopes for the first time since her crash nine days ago
- American says her Thanksgiving Day test run at Vail was "awesome"
- She will miss the three World Cup races at Beaver Creek starting Friday
- Vonn is battling to be fit to defend her downhill title at Winter Olympics
While millions of Americans were at home celebrating Thanksgiving Day, Lindsey Vonn was out on the slopes early doing what she loves most.
The champion skier raised hopes she will soon be fit to return to action after testing her re-injured knee Thursday at her home piste in Vail, Colorado.
"First day back on snow since my crash and it was awesome!" Vonn wrote on her Facebook page.
"I'm very thankful for many things this year (family, loved ones, great fans) but at this moment I'm happy to be on the mountain doing what I love -- skiing!! Happy thanksgiving everyone!"
Vonn, who revealed that the resort staff opened the lifts early for her, has yet to make a World Cup appearance this season.
Lindsey Vonn vows to take on the men
She decided to skip the opening events in Austria and Finland, while last week's training crash has ruled her out of this weekend's three races at Beaver Creek, Colorado.
The 29-year-old is recovering from new damage to the knee ligament that required major surgery after an accident on the opening day of the world championships in February.
However, U.S. ski team women's head physician Bill Sterett said Vonn's first session since her tumble nine days ago went fine and there were "no issues."
Next February Vonn is hoping to defend her downhill title at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, while she is also just four race wins away from a new World Cup record.
The next opportunity for Vonn -- who made her relationship with golf star Tiger Woods public in March -- is likely to be at the Canadian resort Lake Louise next weekend.
