At the skiing world championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, veteran skier Lindsey Vonn expressed disappointment after not being paired with Mikaela Shiffrin for the team combined race. Vonn had campaigned to race with Shiffrin in what she called a skiing 'dream team' for the new event, which will debut at the Olympics next year.
When Shiffrin announced on Instagram that she would be racing with Breezy Johnson instead, Vonn took to social media to express her displeasure before later deleting the post. Vonn admitted that her reaction may not have been helpful but emphasized that she was disappointed in the lack of communication.
The combined event involves one racer competing in a downhill run and another in a slalom, with their times combined to determine the final results. Vonn finished 21st in the downhill portion, leaving her teammate AJ Hurt with a significant gap to make up.
Vonn acknowledged that she struggled during her run, mentioning that she was unable to accelerate and would need to make adjustments to her equipment. Despite her performance, Vonn supported the coaching staff's decision in selecting the pairings based on season-best results in downhill and slalom.
While Vonn agreed that Johnson and Shiffrin were the fastest skiers and the right choice for the event, she expressed disappointment in the lack of communication regarding the decision. Vonn highlighted the importance of professional communication within the team.
Although Vonn had initially hoped to race with Shiffrin, it was determined that Johnson, who had excelled in the downhill portion, would be the best pairing for Shiffrin. The coaching staff emphasized the need to bring together the fastest pairings for the event.
Despite the disappointment of not racing with Shiffrin, Vonn acknowledged the strength of the other competitors and the importance of prioritizing performance in the team selections. The incident highlighted the significance of clear communication and professionalism within the U.S. skiing team.
Overall, the team remains focused on their performances at the world championships, with Vonn expressing a desire to continue improving and contributing to the team's success.
