Lindsey Vonn on Mikaela Shiffrin: 'She is the best skier that has ever lived in my eyes'
The retired Olympic champion said her American countrywoman will not only break Vonn's World Cup record but will also 'become the greatest skier in history.'
Alpine Skiing
Lindsey Vonn has some things to say about countrywoman Mikaela Shiffrin.
Big things.
Speaking to German outlet Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Vonn predicted that Shiffrin will break her World Cup record soon - while etching her name as the single greatest skier of all time.
"[Mikaela] is the best skier that has ever lived in my eyes," Vonn, 38, said. "She will break my record of World Cup wins very quickly and will become the greatest skier in history."
Vonn has the female record in alpine skiing for World Cup wins at 82, while Shiffrin won number 77 just a few days ago - her third World Cup victory already this season.
Continued Vonn: "She is an amazing athlete and has an almost perfect slalom technique. She trains in a special way with a lot of repetitions."
Vonn retired in 2019 following the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, where she won a third Olympic medal. She captured the downhill title at Vancouver 2010 while also claiming bronze in the Super G there.
She was recently present for former rival Sofia Goggia's 30th birthday, the Italian Goggia continuing her own sparkling CV this season with three World Cup wins - to bring her total to 20.
Would Vonn consider coaching in the near future?
"No, I love to help people when they need me," she told the German outlet. "Sofia once asked me to go up the mountain with her and give her tips. If she needs my advice, I am ready. But I don't see myself as a coach. I see myself more as a mentor. I enjoy mentoring girls and young women who need my help."
Vonn continued: "That is why I started my foundation. I want to help the young generation and encourage them to become the best personalities they can be."
Vonn's foundation, the Lindsey Vonn Foundation, "provides scholarships and programming for education, sports, and enrichment programs to give future generations the tools they need to reach their goals and discover their grit within," according to its website.