After quitting the game, Vonn centered on her basis and enterprise in addition to studying to flyboard, wakeboard and play tennis.
However, nonetheless experiencing ache, she decided to have the operation on her proper knee.
“I used to be doing extra remedy in retirement than I used to be after I was racing,” Vonn defined.
“I did it for my very own longevity, for my very own wellbeing. That was my motivation – to be pain-free and to stay the life I attempted to construct for myself.”
The surgical procedure went properly and Vonn was loving her life, however one thing was lacking. It was the excitement of snowboarding quick once more.
“Life as a ski racer is fairly easy,” she mentioned. “You’re employed laborious, you do the appropriate factor, and once you’re within the begin gate you simply wish to go quick. I missed that.”
Vonn requested her surgeon how far she might push her knee and to what degree might she ponder competing once more.
“He instructed me it was as much as me,” Vonn mentioned. “He mentioned if it would not damage and it feels good, the titanium knee is just not going wherever.
“There’s different threat elements, clearly. I’ve different ligaments, it is like a traditional knee. “Issues can go mistaken, however the titanium knee element is indestructible.”
Vonn competes in Cortina in Italy on Saturday and Sunday and it’s a hill she is aware of very properly, having gained 12 World Cup races there – the final in 2018.
She crashed throughout coaching on Thursday however disregarded any damage considerations.
“I am actually excited to be again right here,” Vonn mentioned.
“I have been watching movies of the previous races. They’ve been so significant to my life. It means rather a lot to me. I am simply out right here, having enjoyable.”
The course tantalisingly additionally performs host to the ladies’s races on the 2026 Winter Olympics that are solely a yr away.
Vonn is just not trying too far forward for what could be a fifth Winter Video games and virtually 1 / 4 of a century since her first in 2002.
“I do not suppose this weekend’s outcomes imply something for the following Olympics,” she mentioned.
“It [Olympics] is determined by whether or not I can keep wholesome, determine my tools, can I preserve this degree of snowboarding for one more yr? I do not know the reply to these questions.
“I will get pleasure from this weekend as if it is the final time I ski right here and we’ll see what on daily basis brings.”
If Vonn had been in a position to document a World Cup win, she would comfortably grow to be the oldest man or girl to take action.
“My new knee has given me a second likelihood. Life is brief so I will take it,” she added.