For some time now, Skistar Lindsey Vonn has been trying to compete with her male colleagues.The US Ski Federation is now submitting a corresponding proposal.
“The US Ski and Snowboard Association will propose to let Lindsey Vonn start the men’s downhill in Lake Louise,”says the FIS website in its preview of the World Ski Federation’s congress next week in Zurich:”Details are not yet known, but this is certainly a subject on which the FIS officials are divided.”.
The regulations would actually not allow such a start, and the necessary FIS points in the men’s area are missing.”Purely from the rules we would not get to a green branch in ten years’ time,”US Alpine boss Patrick Riml is quoted by the crown.
Lindsey has done an incredible amount of work for the sport.Only Ingemar Stenmark has more World Cup victories!I think that, in view of these merits, it is possible to fulfill her wish,”says Riml.
In Lake Louis, Vonn would have a good chance of being competitive.After all, this World Cup venue is one of her favourite destinations: there she has already won 18 victories.Vonns’ plan is viewed with scepticism in the ski circus, but Riml believes that it would be an opportunity for sport:”For years we have wanted to make skiing more attractive.If you let Lindsey ride in Lake Louise now, it’d be a worldwide advertisement for our sport.”
Vonn himself once again pleads for a release of the FIS:”It would be great for the sport.And the men say I can’t beat them anyway.So what’s the problem?Give me this chance!”, demands the 32-year-old.