40-year-old Lindsey Vonn encouraged by her competitiveness as she attempts skiing comeback

Lindsey Vonn is still getting her ski equipment dialled in and getting used to going full speed again on her new titanium knee.

That's why all that the 40-year-old is reading into being more than two seconds behind in a pair of lower-level super-G races on Sunday is that she's right there. This after nearly six years away from ski racing and only an abbreviated prep period.

"I know it seems like I'm far away, but I'm actually really freaking close for only having run a few days of training after basically six years," Vonn said in an interview with The Associated Press after a series of lower-level downhill and super-G races over the weekend at Copper Mountain. "I honestly never thought I'd be back in this position."

Vonn isn't coming out of retirement as part of some sort of feel-good story. Her return is simply about proving something to one person.

"I'm doing this 100 per cent for myself," the three-time Olympic medallist said. "I'm having a blast. The response I've gotten from everyone has been really overwhelming in a very positive way. But I'm just living my life, not doing it for anyone but myself. There are no records I need to think about. That's passed. I'm just happy to be here."

Vonn finished 24th and 19th in two super-G races Sunday as she tinkers with the settings on her skis and boots. She was 2.19 seconds behind in the first race and 2.06 in the second. Both were won by her American teammate Lauren Macuga.

The question that's hovering: Why come back at 40?

"Why not? I feel great," Vonn said. "I mean, I do double sessions. I've been doing a load that I haven't done since my early 20s. So I don't feel my age. My teammates don't treat me like I'm any older, so nothing feels different to me."

Vonn's last major