Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin, the two best skiers in U.S. history, have had a long-standing rivalry on and off the slopes. This dynamic is evident as they both campaign for spots on the American team at various skiing events.
Vonn recently returned to racing at 40 after nearly six years of retirement, while Shiffrin was finishing up her own competitive career. Their reunion sparked friction, particularly in a new event: team combined, which involves one skier competing in downhill and another in slalom.
Shiffrin initially declined to pair with Vonn, citing a lack of training for giant slalom following a November crash. However, she later changed her plans, opting to compete in the combined alongside Breezy Johnson instead. Johnson will race downhill, while Shiffrin takes on slalom.
Vonn expressed disappointment in how Shiffrin handled her decision. The two were expected to form a “dream team,” but Vonn was informed that Shiffrin wouldn’t be racing with her through the U.S. coaching staff’s decisions based on season-best results.
Despite the lack of communication, Vonn stated that she remains a team player and supports her teammates. She had reached out to Shiffrin, who initially agreed to race together but later changed her mind without informing Vonn.
Shiffrin has won numerous titles, including two World Cup wins this season, while Vonn holds the record for most World Cup downhill victories with 43. The two are expected to dominate in the team combined event, which showcases their incredible skills and athleticism.
Their decision has left fans wondering about the future of their rivalry and what’s next for these two skiing legends.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/lindsey-vonn-mikaela-shiffrin-skiing-a50b25824744dca4d12fafb8eeaaed5e