"... taking absolute risk, but using your brain"

Will Lindsey Vonn fulfill her life-long dream, the overall victory in the Alpine ski World Cup? Or will a blunder at the season’s finishing stretch keep her from achieving her greatest triumph? In our interview, the 23-year-old Red Bull athlete tells us how she feels about the final showdown.

While surfing the internet I came across an old race report from the year 2000. It mentions an ambitious 16-year-old who had just competed in her first World Cup race, just missed out in qualifying for the second round and afterwards said: “My goal is still to win the World Cup.” Do you remember this?

It was in Park City and was a huge day for me: I was finally able to compete with the best, which I’d always wanted to do. I was unbelievably nervous, the way I actually was in all races at the beginning of my career. To come exactly 31st really rankled me back then.

And now you’re just a whisker away from winning the overall World Cup. How does it feel to be so close to reaching this mammoth target yet for it to still be up in the air?

On the one hand, it’s a great feeling, but I know that I’ve still got an enormous amount of work ahead of me. My adversaries are really strong – and you can’t afford any weaknesses. You have to give it your all the whole year long, right up to the very last race.

Which of the remaining races are you putting your highest hopes on?

I always concentrate on the race ahead because I need every single point I can get.

Do the tactics, then, go like this? Better to speculate on a secure fifth place rather than risk everything with possible casualties?

No, I can’t do that. When I’m in the starting position there are no tables, no calculations any more. I simply want to give it everything I’ve got.

A risky attitude ...

Well, it’s about finding the middle ground: Taking absolute risk, but using your head.

How much does the fact that Maria Riesch being one of your main rivals influence your friendship?

It’s great because we never run out of things to talk about! We’re going through the same motions, and it’s good to be able to talk to someone who really understands all this.

Have you even managed to celebrate your victory in the Downhill World Cup yet?

My team guys organized a small celebration in the Four Seasons in Whistler for me. There was Champagne, a buffet and a few unbelievably moving speeches. It made me so happy ...

Picabo Street, your predecessor, idol and friend all at once, congratulated you on your Downhill overall win in a telephone conference. What else did she tell you off-camera?

We actually didn’t have any time to talk after that. But at the beginning of the season she told me that she believed in me and that I could break all her records. I’m really happy to know her. To get tips and support from your greatest idol is something that doesn’t happen very often.

Your husband, Thomas, gives you even more support. Is it more than a coincidence that Lindsey Vonn is more successful than Lindsey Kildow?

Seems like he brings me luck [laughs]! Thomas comes to every race, he drives me around, he’s always there when I need him. And that way I can totally concentrate on racing.