Lindsey Vonn is back training after taking a break following a triumphant season.
Her successes included a third consecutive world cup title, along with gold in downhill and bronze in Super G at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, topped with best female athlete in the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards, widely considered one of the highest awards in the United States.
"It was a wonderful surprise to win such an award. It is a sign ski racing is growing in popularity, and getting recognition in the wider sports community," Vonn said.
Despite her star status, Vonn, of Vail, in Colorado, was smiling and approachable, and happily mingled with young racers and recreational skiers in between training runs on the slalom course of the race arena.
"Everyone is very relaxed about our presence here. It is wonderful to meet some of the youngsters who might grow up as future ski racers. If I had been given the chance to mingle with accomplished athletes when I started skiing as a kid, I would have been very exited."
She was "thrilled" to be back in Queenstown, where she has trained for a few weeks every southern winter for several years.
"It is such a cool township with so much to do. The entire team loves being here, especially as we are staying in lovely apartments at Millbrook Resort, which feels almost like home."
It has not been all skiing.
"A group of us girls did the Nevis bungy jump - a very exiting experience. And one of the days we simply spent an afternoon shopping in Arrowtown and Queenstown. Some of the guys went skydiving, and have also been playing golf," she said.
