Lindsey Vonn hired the former ski racer Aksel Lund Svindal as a trainer. She wants to contest her last season with the Norwegian – and celebrate success at the Olympics. Even Svindal himself is said to have surprised the offer.
They are likely to be the most legendary athlete trainer team of the coming season: Lindsey Vonn and Aksel Lund Svindal. The American, who had surprisingly gave her World Cup comeback last season, grabbed the Norwegian as a coach, as her ski manufacturer announced on Wednesday.
So the American will look after Svindal in the upcoming Olympic season. “Getting Aksel to my team for this season feels like a natural and incredibly exciting step,” said Vonn. You and Svindal have “shared so much history on the mountain, from training to winning the World Cup titles”, so over the years “a great deal of respect and trust has developed”.
Vonn had already trained together with the then active Norwegian. Together, the two six large crystal balls won for the victory of the overall World Cup – in the winter of 2008/09 they even kept the trophy up in the air.
Lindsey Vonn will move borders with Svindal
And the two also announced their resignation: Svindal had ended his career like Vonn after the 2019 World Championships in the Swedish area. The Olympic champion in the 2010 departure had decided last winter with a comeback with a view of the Olympic Games in February in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo.
“This comeback is about exceeding and proving limits what is possible, and I believe that Aksel will help me to have the additional lead that I will need on this ambitious journey,” she said.
With Svindal, Vonn has landed a real alpine coup. The Norwegian is one of the most successful ski racers in history, in 2010 in Vancouver Olympic gold in the Super-G and eight years later in Pyeongchang on the departure. He also won the World Cup gold five times and twice the overall World Cup. “His knowledge of sport, especially when it comes to equipment and racing strategy, is unprecedented and I have always valued his findings,” said Vonn.
Aksel Lund Svindal was surprised by offer
“I was a little surprised when Lindsey called me, but above all I felt honored,” said Svindal, adding: “She knows me pretty well, so she hadn’t asked, unless she really thought I could contribute.
The 42-year-old enthused: “She is one of the absolutely best skiers of all time, and I am very impressed by her determination to this comeback.” After his resignation, Svindal had nothing to do with ski racing: he was seen in freeride films, took part in a Norwegian reality program, later moderated it and became the father of a child. With the new job, Svindal will now be seen more often around the World Cup.
In the video: Lindsey Vonn exclusively: “Many have spoken badly about me”
Source: BR24Sport 08.08.2025 – 6:30 p.m.
