Vonn pulls out of remaining World Champs events

A day after winning the silver medal in the downhill, American Lindsey Vonn today (Feb. 14) announced that she will not compete in the remainder of the World Championships going on in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

Vonn made the announcement on her Facebook page.

“Coming into this championship my plan was to race in all of the events, but I’ve decided to pull out of all the remaining events here in Garmisch,” wrote Vonn. “My plan now will be to take some time off and try to get 100% healthy again. My hope is that I will be healthy and fresh when the World Cup tour resumes at the end of the month in Are, Sweden.”

Vonn sustained what was reported as a minor concussion while training Feb. 2 and has been evaluated by doctors daily since. Before finishing second in the downhill, Vonn took seventh in the super G and told reporters her reaction time felt slow. She then opted out of the first downhill training and took her self out of the super combined between runs to continue resting. 

Vonn is the three-time defending World Cup overall champion and  holds titles in downhill, super G and super combined from last season. She is currently leading the downhill, super G and super combined standings, but sits 156 points behind friend Maria Riesch of Germany in the overall standings. 

“It’s been a really difficult few weeks and at every stage, I’ve had 100% confidence in the medical advice I’ve been provided and believe we’ve made the right decisions,” said Vonn. “I’m a competitor and I love to race, that’s what makes this a really tough choice, but I do feel it’s the right one.”

Still remaining on the World Championships calendar are the nation’s team event, giant slalom and slalom.

The World Cup picks back up Feb. 25-27 in Are, Sweden with a super combined, downhill and super G.