American skier Lindsey Vonn announced today that she has hired former Norwegian skier Aksel Lund Svindal as her coach for the upcoming Olympic season.
"Bringing Axel to my team for this season feels like a natural and incredibly exciting step. We've shared so many stories on the mountain, from training to winning the World Cup," Vonn said in a statement.
The four-time World Cup champion returned to competition last winter after a break of more than five years.
"His knowledge of the sport, especially when it comes to equipment and race strategy, is unparalleled and I have always valued his insight. Having him on my team as we aim for the Games in Cortina is a huge advantage," added the 40-year-old skier.
They will begin their collaboration this summer at a training camp in Chile.
"Over the years and training and competing together, Lindsay and I have built a lot of trust and honesty. I think I can make an impact quickly. I was a little surprised when Lindsay invited me, but mostly honored," Svindal said.
They are both four-time World Cup champions.
Vonn won Olympic gold in downhill in 2010 and has 82 World Cup victories.
Svindal is a two-time Olympic champion, triumphing in the super-G in 2010 and in the downhill in 2018, and has achieved 36 World Cup victories.
They ended their careers at the same time at the 2019 World Championships, but Vonn returned to competition last fall.
"This comeback is about pushing the boundaries and proving that anything is possible, and I believe that Axel will help me gain the extra edge I will need in this ambitious adventure," said Vonn.
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