Ski queen reveals

Lindsey Vonn: “I will never be pain-free again”

Lindsey Vonn has spoken about the physical consequences of her career.(Bild: APA/Getty Images via AFP/GETTY IMAGES/John Lamparski)

"I will never be pain-free again in my life." In an interview with the German magazine "Sportbild", Lindsey Vonn revealed the physical consequences of her successful skiing career. "I've made a lot of sacrifices for skiing," said the 39-year-old.

"Bone meets bone in my right knee. I've had operations every twelve to 14 months so that I can continue to function. I have to find a better, long-term solution," revealed the four-time overall World Cup winner, who tore her cruciate and medial ligaments at the World Championships in Schladming in 2013.

Lindsey Vonn's crash in Schladming:

An injury that still has consequences today - an artificial knee joint should therefore now provide relief: "I'm currently looking into when and where I'll do it - and what kind of joint replacement. It's all pretty complicated." The US-American wants to undergo the necessary operation in the next six months. 

"It's just part of it"
Despite all the injuries and all the operations that Vonn has undergone, she has no regrets. The 2010 Olympic champion also sees the numerous absences in the current World Cup season with different eyes. "It will be an unpopular opinion, but that's just part of ski racing," says the ski icon.

Vonn also doesn't believe that the sport is on the road to recovery in terms of safety: "If you don't want to get injured, you shouldn't compete in downhill skiing."