Lindsey Vonn Conquers The World’s ‘Most Notorious’ Downhill—In The Dark

The word in 2019 was that Lindsey Vonn, the four-time USA Olympian and winner of 82 World Cup victories, had retired from competition. But even in retirement, Vonn is always moving.

But late this week in Austria, Vonn conquered another huge feat. On Thursday evening, Vonn became the first woman to ski the legendary Streif in Kitzbühel, Austria, a 3,312-meter pass that is known as the most notorious downhill course in the world. And on top of that, Vonn is the first ever to ski the course at night.

Nicknamed the Mausefalle or “The Mousetrap” by fellow former professional skier Toni Sailer, the course, which starts at a height of 1,665 meters with an 860-meter vertical drop, has been likened to a jump into the unknown, even when undertaken in daylight.

“Only when you ski the Streif are you a real downhiller,” Vonn said Thursday. The Streif is the pinnacle of all downhills. Nobody believed I could do it. After all my injuries, (getting) the once-in-a-lifetime chance to kick out of the starting gate here and fulfill my dream is incredible.”

The 38-year-old American had described herself as “broken beyond repair” upon stepping away from ski racing just four years ago. But in her first downhill endeavor since then, she took on the challenge of becoming the first person in history to ski the world’s toughest piste in the dark.

VIDEO: Lindsey Vonn downhills in the dark—at Streif in Kitzbühel

Afterward, Vonn said the drop reminded her of being on a rollercoaster, feeling her stomach “lifted up out of her and then the body slamming down” when hitting the compression up landing.

“In the dark, it makes it much more challenging also,” she added. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous before a start in my life. (But) I’m a thrill seeker. I love pushing myself to the absolute limit and being on the verge of being scared. I live for a challenge like this.”

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Vonn notes that she hadn’t raced a downhill course in four years but pushed out of the start gate and entered the notorious course with an 85% gradient.

To accomplish the feat, Vonn borrowed the right skis from U.S. star Ryan Cochran-Siegle and had them prepared by her former serviceman Heinz Hämmerle. Vonn, who is also well-known for spending much time in the gym, set out to prepare herself physically after a history of severe knee injuries suffered over her career.

While her father Alan watched from the sidelines, Vonn said she had some fear in the back of her mind that her “knee might explode” during the project.

But there was another big reason Vonn said she undertook the risky challenge.

“I did it also for my mother,” she said in an emotional tribute. “My mum always taught me to believe in myself. And I knew I had the strength because she was still watching over me. I thought about her a lot while I was doing this project. And she always believed in me more than I believed in myself.

Vonn’s mother, Linda Krohn, passed away in late August 2022, a year after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

“Whenever I told her I was doing something insane, she never even worried. She always says, you know what you’re doing. I’m right here behind you. And again, I thought if there’s ever a time to do it, it’s now because now I have someone extra helping me.”

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