The Japan Times - 'It's so much fun,' says Vonn as she milks her comeback

Eight years after she last raced at Val d'Isere, skiing's speed queen will try to add to her seven victories at the resort between a downhill in December 2005 and a super-G on her last visit in December 2017.

At Val d'Isere the downhill carries an unusual bonus.

"I'm so happy to be back here," Vonn said on Friday. "I actually saw the woman that gave me the cow, my first cow in 2005."

"I saw her yesterday, which is great to see her and I have a lot of great memories here."

When she won her first bovine prize, a fully grown cow, 20 years ago, the American raised eyebrows by declining the cash alternative. She won her fourth cow in 2014.

"I don't know if there's a cow this weekend. Hopefully there is," she said.

Last weekend the 41-year-old Vonn, who spent five years out of the sport, became the oldest skier to win a World Cup race when she took a downhill in St Moritz, her first victory since 2018 -- and first in her comeback with titanium implants in her right knee.

She followed that with a downhill second place the next day and finished the weekend by finishing fourth in a super-G.

"I'm very happy," Vonn said after the super-G. "I think overall it was a solid weekend."

On Friday in France, Vonn said she was having fun.

"I started racing World Cup in 2001 and I'm still here," she said.

"It's been a lot, but all of these places have so many good memories that it's nice to be back here one final time and remember everything that I've done and also get a chance to finish my career in a strong way.

"When I finished my career the first time, the last season was horrible and I was in pain and it wasn't fun.

"My body feels amazing. I have an amazing team and it's fun. It's so much fun."

- 'Challenge' -

Returning to mountains where she has raced so often has advantages.

"It's a great hill for me. Yesterday, I didn't need to inspect very long," Vonn said.

"I knew where to go. This is the same hill that I love so much. I know what it requires to win here."

The weekend offers a downhill on Saturday and a super-G on Sunday.

Vonn leads the downhill stadings but is second to Sofia Goggia in the super-G.

"Obviously Sophia is pushing me hard so that makes it even more exciting for me," said Vonn.

"I love that challenge so I will try to execute tomorrow."

If she does, she could collect her fifth cow.

"I'd love to add one more because the rest of them are gone. It's been so long that my cows are dead."

M.Sugiyama--JT