SAALBACH-HINTERGLEMM, Austria (AP) – When Lindsey Vonn decided to return to downhill ski racing at age 40 this season after nearly six years of retirement with a new titanium knee, the criticism from prominent retired skiers like Franz Klammer, Marc Girardelli, Pirmin Zurbriggen, Bruno Kernen, Michaela Dorfmeister and Sonja Nef was so scathing that the underlying theme suggested the American had psychological issues.
However, there are many other current and retired skiers close in age to Vonn who think just the opposite.
Take Marcel Hirscher, the eight-time overall champion who also made a comeback this season at age 35 that was put on hold when he injured his left knee in December.
“It is very unfair. I can´t understand those messages,” Hirscher said of the criticism aimed at Vonn. “Because for me, it is just inspiring. Lindsey showed us if you have a big dream, it doesn´t matter how huge the steps are. That has to be taken. Lindsey showed us you can achieve this.”
Hirscher added that he was “close to crying” when he saw Vonn finish sixth and fourth on consecutive days in St. Anton last month in only the second and third races of her comeback.
“It was crazy,” Hirscher said. “No one was expecting this. So it is a big role model for all human beings that big dreams, big wishes, if you work for it, everything – mostly everything – is possible.”
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