Vonn’s return delayed after training canceled

VAL-D’ISRE, France – Agence France-Presse

Lindsey Vonn’s return to the piste after a back injury and a backlash at her anti-Trump comments was put back at least a day after downhill training in Val d’Isere was canceled on Dec. 14.

Strong winds and heavy snow put paid to any plans the 33-year-old American might have had for refinding her skiing mojo after she was forced to withdraw from last Sunday’s St Moritz super-G with a compression of a spinal joint sustained in a race 24 hours previously.

Organizers in Val d’Isere also swapped Dec. 17’s super-G for Dec. 16’s downhill in a bid to be able to run the two races, with better weather expected on the Sunday.

Vonn found herself back in the spotlight this week after making comments about the U.S. government and President Donald Trump which caused a massive backlash, much of it negative.

In a lengthy post on Instagram, Vonn said she had been hurt by some of the responses she had received to comments made in the interview with CNN, insisting her focus would now turn fully on the Feb. 9-25 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

“My recent comments opened up my eyes as to how divided we are right now,” Vonn wrote.

“It is hurtful to read comments where people are hoping I break my neck or that God is punishing me for being ‘anti-Trump’.”

Vonn is arguably the most well-known member of the U.S. Winter Olympic team, having won four World Cup overall championships as well as an Olympic gold in the downhill at the 2010 Games.

She missed the 2014 Games through injury, but has transformed herself into one of the most recognizable sportswomen in the world through savvy use of social media, high-profile sponsorship deals and even a relationship with Tiger Woods.