Lindsey Vonn Asks Internet for Help After "Special" Ski Pole Goes Missing

Even the greats aren’t immune to petty theft (or simple accidents).

Just weeks before the start of the Winter Olympics, American ski racing star Lindsey Vonn revealed to her thousands of followers on X that she needed help finding a piece of her equipment: her ski pole.

“Someone took my pole in the parking lot today in Tarvisio,” she wrote, referencing the Italian locale where two women’s World Cup races are scheduled for the coming days. “If you have seen it please respond to this. Thank you.”

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The Leki pole in question is hot pink and green and has a distinctive “L.V.” signature on the inside of the strap. One member of the set appeared to join Vonn recently on the podium in Val d’Isere, France.

One commenter, who perhaps doesn’t feel sentimental about their own gear, asked Vonn why she was intent on finding the missing pole. After all, the ski racer, who is a global superstar, shouldn’t have a problem finding new equipment. But some gear takes on a life of its own.

“They are 10 years old. They are special to me,” Vonn replied. 

The search for the pole comes amid Vonn’s surprising and unprecedented ski racing comeback. 

In 2019, she retired from ski racing after a standout career. Then, last winter, at age 40, she returned to the course. Her season ended in Sun Valley, Idaho, where she placed second in the super-G, becoming the oldest woman to stand on a FIS Alpine World Cup podium. It was her first time cracking the top three in the World Cup that winter.

More success followed this season, where, after competing in six events, Vonn claimed five podiums. Her worst result so far is a fourth-place finish. 

Vonn has officially qualified for the Olympics and appears poised to be a medal favorite when the Winter Games kick off early next month. 

Will finding her missing pole help her reach that goal? Hard to say, but it probably wouldn’t hurt.

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