Lindsey Vonn expresses her emotions on the World Championships controversy with Mikaela Shiffrin and regrets how it happened.

Before delving into the full story, here is a concise overview of the key developments:

Lindsey Vonn, back on the World Cup circuit at age 40, had campaigned to form a “dream team” with Mikaela Shiffrin in the inaugural team combined event at the 2025 World Alpine Ski Championships. Shiffrin initially opted out of the team event to conserve her energy for the giant slalom and slalom, but reversed her decision at the last moment—pairing instead with Breezy Johnson—without informing Vonn directly. Vonn took to social media to express her disappointment, posting (and then deleting) a curt “Why am I not surprised?” before issuing a public apology, acknowledging that her emotions got the better of her and regretting how she handled the situation. Shiffrin and Johnson went on to win gold, while Vonn and AJ Hurt finished 16th. Both athletes have since moved past the incident, with Vonn stressing her respect for team decisions and Shiffrin focusing on her recovery from PTSD after a November crash.

Background: A New Olympic‑Format Event

The Team Combined’s Olympic Debut

• The 2025 World Championships in Saalbach‑Hinterglemm featured the first-ever women’s team combined event, set to premiere at the 2026 Winter Olympics as well.
• Each nation fields a pair: one skier for the downhill leg and another for the slalom, with combined times determining the podium order .

Vonn’s Comeback and the Dream Team Concept

• Lindsey Vonn returned from retirement in November 2024 at age 40, aiming to compete through Milan–Cortina 2026 .
• A veteran with 82 World Cup wins and an Olympic downhill gold, Vonn publicly stated she “would love” to team up with Mikaela Shiffrin, blending experience and youth in what many called a dream partnership .

Timeline of the Controversy

Shiffrin’s Initial Decision

• In early February, Shiffrin announced she would skip the team combined to focus on recovering her form for the giant slalom and slalom, citing lingering PTSD from a November 2024 crash in Killington, Vermont .
• This withdrawal aligned with her goal to be mentally prepared for her individual events.

Last‑Minute Reversal

• Just days before the team event on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, Shiffrin reversed course, entering the combined and pairing with Breezy Johnson, the newly crowned downhill world champion .
• Vonn learned of this pairing via Shiffrin’s Instagram post rather than through direct team channels .

Vonn’s Immediate Reaction

• Frustrated by the lack of communication, Vonn took to X (formerly Twitter), posting:
  

  “Why am I not surprised?”

• She quickly deleted the message, recognizing it was impulsive.

Vonn’s Reflections and Regret

A Human Moment

• Vonn later admitted, “Maybe I didn’t help myself or the team by having my Twitter fingers out. But at the same time, I’m a human being and I was disappointed in the communication. And I let my feelings be known. I’m a human. I have feelings. So shoot me” .
• She reiterated, “I get emotional because I care a lot. And I make mistakes. It’s never my intention to cause harm … but I am so far from perfect” .

Public Apology

• On February 11, Vonn released a statement:
  

  “I didn’t help myself,” acknowledging her overreaction and apologizing for her social‑media outburst .

On‑Snow Results

Shiffrin & Johnson’s Gold

• Breezy Johnson clocked the fourth‑fastest time in the downhill leg, and Shiffrin posted the third‑best slalom run, combining for 2:40.89 to secure the win .

Vonn & Hurt’s Finish

• Vonn struggled in the downhill, placing 21st and leaving AJ Hurt a substantial deficit.
• The pair finished 16th overall in 2:43.87, outside medal contention .

Shiffrin’s Perspective

Balancing Mental Health and Competition

• Following her November crash, Shiffrin disclosed she’s managing PTSD, opting to concentrate on technical events where speeds and injury risk are lower .
• She “decided to take it one step at a time” to regain confidence before contesting the combined .

Communication Breakdown

Vonn’s Core Complaint

• Vonn emphasized that she “didn’t have a problem with the selection process”—which rightly chose the fastest duo—but felt “it’s a little unprofessional” to learn of her teammate pairing via Instagram rather than a direct call or text .
• She stressed that simple, respectful communication fosters team unity .

Coaching Staff’s Rationale

• U.S. speed coach Alex Hoedlmoser noted that pairings are based strictly on “season‑best results,” underscoring that Shiffrin and Johnson were simply the fastest combination .

Broader Reactions and Legacy

Media and Fan Response

• The episode sparked debate over athlete etiquette, team dynamics, and the pressure on veteran stars returning late in their careers .
• Some applauded Vonn’s candor, while others felt she should have handled her disappointment more privately .

Implications for 2026

• Both Vonn and Shiffrin now look ahead to Milan–Cortina 2026, where a similar team combined event will again test strategy, communication, and mental resilience .
• Vonn remains determined to refine her setup and form for speed events, while Shiffrin continues her meticulous recovery .

Conclusion

The brief flare‑up between two of alpine skiing’s greatest figures illuminated the high stakes and human emotions behind elite competition. Lindsey Vonn’s heartfelt regret and Mikaela Shiffrin’s vulnerability about her mental health both underscore that even champions grapple with communication, expectations, and the arduous path to peak performance. As they set their sights on the next Winter Games, the sport will undoubtedly watch with keen interest how these two icons transform a moment of controversy into a shared journey toward greatness.