Lindsey Vonn has returned to the slopes over the weekend after months of rehabilitation on the surgically-repaired right knee she injured in February's world championships in Schladming, Austria.
Vonn, who is ahead of schedule as she prepares for the Sochi Olympics five months away, skied in Portillo, Chile over the weekend to test how her knee feels on the slopes.
"I can't tell which knee is injured, that's a good sign," said Vonn. "I usually go from zero to a hundred. I'm not good in between so this is going to be a challenge."
Vonn's knee handled the rigors of skiing well, despite the seven months she spent resting after her injury, having gone on two training runs during her first day of training and taking gradual turns along the course.
"I've crashed a lot in my career and I'm just getting back up as fast as I can," said Vonn. "Unfortunately, it's taken me seven months to get back up this time, but I was really excited to get back out there. It feels like the right time and my body feels ready."
The four-time World Cup overall champion and Olympic downhill champion plans to return to competition Nov. 29 at the women 's World Cup in Beaver Creek, Colo. She admits some jitters the event draws closer - despite the fact doctors felt she would not be able to hit the slopes until at least November.
"I think it's going to be more intense than the Olympics," said Vonn. "It's going to be my first race back. Friends and family are going to be here, just like they were [in 2011]. At least now, I've won on home soil, so there's no pressure there, but it's going to be a big deal to come back from this injury and be skiing on the world championships hill."