Shiffrin to sit out world team combined, dashing Vonn hopes / Photo: JEFF PACHOUD - AFP/File
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Shiffrin to sit out world team combined, dashing Vonn hopes
Lindsey Vonn's dream of competing in the team combined event with Mikaela Shiffrin at the World Ski Championships in Saalbach ran aground Tuesday when the latter ruled herself out of the event.
Shiffrin, with a record 99 World Cup wins to her name, suffered an abdominal puncture-wound injury in a crash in Killington in November and only made her comeback on the piste in Courchevel last week.
Vonn, making her own return at the worlds from retirement, had evoked a possible dream team match-up of her and Shiffrin in the team combined event scheduled for February 11.
The new event sees one skier racing the downhill and a teammate a slalom, their combined times counting for their place in final standings.
"If there's a chance to compete with her, I would absolutely compete with her, I would absolutely if she can... 181 World Cup victories on one team!" Vonn said Monday of the possibility of teaming up with Shiffrin.
Shiffrin, however, poured cold water on that proposition, posting on social media that it was not on her programme in Saalbach.
"As exciting as it was to return to racing in Courchevel, my team and I are continuing to take it one step at a time as I work to get back to 100%," she said.
"That is proving to be no small task -- each day so far has come with a new set of challenges.
"With that said, I need to keep my energy focused on preparing for the giant slalom and slalom races during world championships, and will not be able to participate in the team combined."
R.Verbruggen--JdB
