Lindsey Vonn, the best-performing alpine skier in history, the biggest American producer, has made her way to the last time to make sure her farewell race matches her emotional career with gold.
The end was not triumphant, but it was not obligatory. Lindsey Vonn already had a place in history.
Leaving the grid in third place, the American had taken the train today, raising her arms and greeting the spectators in the full stands, who exclaimed applauding. American, Norwegian and Swedish flags have been erected and supporters of many nationalities have shown their gratitude to a woman who has transcended her sport.
The Slovenian's time of 1: 01.74 allowed her to become the first skier to successfully defend the women's downhill since Maria Walliser in 1987 and 1989, while the Swiss Corrinne Suter followed to deny the money to Vonn.
She will retire at five wins from Ingemar Stenmark's record of 86 World Cup victories, a statistic that will undoubtedly upset such a motivated personality as she ponders her remarkable career.
How many races and medals would they have won if injuries had not been denied on the slopes?
She wanted to continue until the end of the year, break Stenmark's record, but by announcing that she was going to retire a few weeks ago, the American herself said she was "totally irreparable ".
She always recovered and continued. But now, with her knee damaged permanently, the woman described this week as a "warrior" by her compatriot and former Olympic champion Bode Miller had to move on.
