Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics: Lindsey Vonn Wins Bronze In Women’s Downhill, Father Says He Wishes She Had Done Better

Lindsey Vonn won bronze on Wednesday in Pyeongchang in her final downhill race, and both her and many other people’s emotions were running high in the event’s aftermath.

Lindsey Vonn 2018 Winter Olympics downhill final

The 33-year-old veteran Olympian was asked a question about how her late grandfather — who died last fall and whose initials Vonn added to her helmet — inspired her, and couldn’t avoid shedding tears during the interview with NBC’s Heather Cox.

“It’s been really hard for me not to get emotional for so many reasons, especially because of my grandfather,” said Vonn. “I wanted to win so much because of him. [Cries,] But I still think I made him proud. Our family never gives up and I never gave up. I kept working hard. I’m really proud of this medal and I know he is too.”

Vonn of course added that she wished she had won gold, although one person was more explicit in his disappointment: her father.

“It’s great skiing, but it reminds me of something that Buddy Werner used to say,” the athlete’s father Alan Kildow told USA Today Sports, referring to a skier from the 1950s. “He said there’s two places in the race, first and last, and I only want one of them.”

Kildow added he believed his daughter should have been more aggressive.

“Just little spots, little spots,” he said. “Just not quite risking enough. Not straightening the line out, just the ski was little… not quite caving in some places like it should have. But a great result.”

Vonn is not finished in Pyeongchang, however: she will compete in the alpine combined on Wednesday night (Thursday in South Korea).

“It’s been a fun ride and I hope tomorrow I can pull something out of the hat,” she said. “It’s sad, it’s my last downhill. I wish I could keep going, you know. I have so much fun and I love what I do, but my body probably can’t take another four years,” she added.

Caption:SOLDEU, ANDORRA – FEBRUARY 28: (FRANCE OUT) Lindsey Vonn of the USA competes during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women’s Super Combined on February 28, 2016 in Soldeu, Andorra. (Photo by Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)