The end of the friendship between Riesch and Vonn?
Their friendship was seen as proof that even in the fiercest competition, people can treat one another in a friendly and fair way. Rivals who celebrated Christmas together and trained together—is the friendship between overall World Cup winner Maria Riesch and her American competitor Lindsey Vonn now finally over because of their sporting rivalry?
Maria Riesch clinches the title with the team in the final event
The German alpine skiing team, led by World Cup winner Maria Riesch, claimed victory in the team event for the first time—a fitting end to a season in which Riesch had plenty to celebrate, both at the World Championships and as overall World Cup winner. But the joy is clouded by the obvious discord between the athlete from Garmisch-Partenkirchen and her longtime friend and rival, Lindsey Vonn of the USA. Vonn seems unable to accept the cancellation of the final race due to bad weather. When the race was called off, Riesch was confirmed as this season’s overall World Cup winner. Riesch seems deeply disappointed by the behavior of her (former?) friend. She said she hugged Vonn and congratulated her at the awards ceremony, but “she didn’t say anything,” 26-year-old Riesch complained after winning the overall World Cup.
Riss in der Freundschaft zwischen Vonn und Riesch?
Date: 30/09/2026
The two rivals also kept their distance at the sponsor event that evening and barely even glanced at each other. Is Vonn a poor loser? Her behavior would suggest so. Vonn refused to speak to the press before leaving: otherwise she would have started crying, according to a spokesperson for the US team.
In recent years, Riesch had always been a gracious loser when she came off second best to Vonn. She would not have expected anything more from her “friend.” Lindsey Vonn now needs to be careful that she doesn’t lose something besides the overall World Cup title: if the American continues to come across as an envious and poor loser, she will certainly lose popularity in the international skiing world.
Christian Bathen
Photo: Christian Matuschek
