Team USA had quite the fateful run at the 2025 FIS World Cup. But with a lineup consisting of names like Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson among others, it is no surprise. The event in Saalbach, Austria, was also extra special since it also marked the return of the legendary Lindsey Vonn to her first World Cup since 2019. She was excited to have a new set of teammates and had quite a few things to say. But before that, let’s see who else was on this all-star team.
The US skiing team boasted the likes of Lauren Macuga and Paula Moltzan, who both added to the tally of medals with bronze. But the real firepower was inarguably Mikaela Shiffrin, who was easily the most decorated among the lot with 14 titles to her name. But that’s not all. When the fans saw that both Shiffrin and 3-time Olympic medalist Vonn were on the same team, a dream team-up began to form in their minds.
After all, since her abrupt retirement in 2019, this could’ve been the first time the two teamed up. But unfortunately, that didn’t happen. In fact, things are rather cold between Vonn and Mikaela. And the reason for that? Well, it’s not exactly clear. But Vonn wasn’t the only big name to return at this event. Breezy Johnson also returned to the event and clinched the gold medal the very next second.
Breezy Johnson had just returned from her 14-month “Whereabouts failure” anti-doping ban and had won the gold medal in downhills, something that only 3 Americans had done before her. Add to that, she also won the newly introduced combined race with Shiffrin. But Vonn, who recorded a top speed of 86 mph at the downhills, had something to say. But don’t worry Vonn won’t blame Breezy for stealing her thunder.
“The fact that Breezy’s back after her injury—her knee is pretty bad—the fact that she’s world champion is incredibly impressive,” Lindsey Vonn said when asked by 9news after the World Championships. A wholesome response from a former World Champion who could have held a grudge against Breezy for being the woman who partnered with Mikaela Shiffrin for the combined event. After all, she herself wanted to partner up with Mikaela.
The one who filled Shiffrin’s shoes next to Vonn was instead AJ Hurt. And while the other duo ended up winning, Vonn and Hurt could only manage a 16th-place finish. Not exactly the fairytale comeback many expected. But Lindsey Vonn has integrity and respect for the game and her fellow skier. She didn’t fixate on the bad. She acknowledged the courage and perseverance with which Breezy has overcome repeated knee injuries.
After all, just like Vonn, Breezy has also blown her ACL back in 2018. This could have been a career destroyer for her. That was followed by a PCL and MCL tear in the other knee in 2019. To come back after such setbacks needs fortitude and indomitable will. No, Vonn knows Breezy overcame all that and has won not one but 2 golds, and that’s truly “impressive.” But still, in the back of Vonn’s mind, the legendary team-up with Mikaela Shiffrin that could have been would stick. Moreover, it will bother her how things unfolded.
When a possible Dream Team evaporated into an unpleasant reality for Lindsey Vonn
The team-up with Mikaela Shiffrin would have been one iconic return for the 40-year-old Lindsey Vonn. That could have been one of the greatest headline partnerships. Vonn wanted it so much that she herself contacted the 2-time Olympic gold winner to propose the idea. However, the plan was put to rest when Shiffrin told her she would not be competing in the combined event.
Imagine the surprise and the hurt Lindsey must have felt when she saw on Instagram Mikaela Shiffrin’s name in the combined event alongside Breezy Johnson. Vonn didn’t have an issue with the news in the way that it was the logical choice. “I didn’t have a problem with the selection process. It was 100% the right decision. Breezy and Mikaela should be the pair. They’re the fastest two skiers,” was Vonn’s response to The Denver Gazette on February 11. But she was offended by the way she got to know about it.
She felt slighted. She didn’t respond to the development well as she quickly lashed out on Twitter (now X) saying, “Why am I not surprised?” on Feb 10 after Shiffrin’s announcement. Although the 2010 Olympic Gold winner deleted that tweet, she had to face backlash from the skiing community, and rest assured, her relationship with Shiffrin is now frosty at best.
Vonn apologized for the tweet, saying, “I’m a human being and I was disappointed in the communication. And I let my feelings be known. I’m a human. I have feelings. So shoot me.” If it doesn’t seem like the sincerest of apologies to you, it’s probably because Lindsey feels she has been genuinely done wrong. She felt she deserved an “official communication” or even a courtesy text from Shiffrin as a heads-up.
True, the announcement does look unprofessionally handled. However, Lindsey Vonn has moved on. She is concentrating on making her challenging comeback a success.
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