Proving it not only takes dedication and athleticism to be number one, Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn skiied Vail ski resort today, taking laps on Golden Peak to start her season training off right.
The Vail snowmaking team perfected the snow on Golden Peak for the arrival of the U.S. Ski Team -- injecting the man-made snow with water and getting it to the right temperatures so athletes could start to feel real competition-quality snow. Last year, the U.S. Forest Service approved the Ski & Snowboard Club Vail-funded installation of automatic snowmaking equipment on Golden Peak. The snowmaking upgrade allows Ski & Snowboard Club Vail athletes and other athletes from around the world the opportunity to ski Vail Mountain during the early-season.
"Training at Golden Peak is always the best training I get all year," Vonn said during her visit at Devinny Elementary School in Lakewood, Colo. for the School of Shred program. "Literally all the world cup teams are fighting to get lane space at Golden Peak because it's literally the best training there is."
Vonn as well as world class athletes like Bode Miller, Andrew Weibrecht, and Ted Ligety are expected to attend a celebration on Saturday, Nov. 6 where the full roster for the U.S. Ski Team will be announced in Arrabelle Square in Vail at 4:30pm. Fans will be able to watch from the base area until 10:30am.
"Vail has been my biggest supporter and is a huge supporter of the U.S. Ski Team," said four-time Olympian Sarah Schleper, a Ski & Snowboard Club Vail alum to the U.S. Ski Team. "Not only are they responsible for bringing the World Champs back to America, but they're also making huge efforts to help us prepare for every season with great training on Golden Peak. I grew up training on that hill and now we can get on it even earlier."
Skiing at Vail at Golden Peak proves vital for the athletes hopeful for a spot in the 2015 World Championships, to be held in the Vail Valley. It will be the first time since 1999 the event will be held in America.
This time on snow is especially vital for those having to defend four titles this year, like Lindsey Vonn.
"It's going to be really hard to defend the championship medals," Vonn said. "There are a lot of girls coming back from injuries and the competition is going to be really stiff so I'm going to have my work cut out for me, but I'm going to do it."
Skiing at Vail Mountain opens to the public on Friday, Nov. 19. The annual American World Cup event for women as well as the Aspen Winternational is set for Thanksgiving weekend, while the men will race Dec. 3-5 in Beaver Creek on the Birds of Prey downhill. Log on to Vail.com for lodging information, including discounted rates for the weekend.
-- Morgan Bast