"The thought of Vancouver spurs me on"

How the World Cup winner as a far-from-desperate house wife recharges her batteries for the new season and how her training schedule looks for summer: Lindsey Vonn in an off-season interview.

It’s 10 o’ clock on a sunny May morning. Does a skiing World Cup winner need to have achieved something already at this time of year and this time of day?

Absolutely! Our house desperately needs a spring clean. I’ve been up for two hours and am making everything sparkle!

That sounds more strenuous than leg presses and chin-ups. Does that mean you can take it a little easier with conventional training?

I’ve been training intensively for a week now with the specialists from Red Bull Athletes’ Special Projects. But last month I only did a bit of recreational sports and used the time for appointments, interviews, photo shoots and such things. I was on holiday with Thomas in Mexico and visited the parents-in-law in Florida. I needed this time to recharge my batteries ...

... because soon you’re starting your first training camp in Austria. What will you be doing there?

I don’t exactly know. I’ll be spending five weeks in Tyrol and Salzburg with the specialists from ASP Red Bull and among other things will also be training with the footballers from Red Bull Salzburg in their facilities. I’m aiming to build up my form there so that I’ll be top fit when I start my skiing training.

What motivates someone who has won almost everything?

The thought of the Olympic Games in Vancouver, of course. I’ve been working towards this event for the last nine years, and ever since then I’ve been working on improving every year.

In the meantime you’ve won every discipline of the World Cup races, except for the Giant Slalom. Just a footnote for statisticians – or a shortfall that annoys you yourself?

The latter. I would love to win a Giant Slalom – but for that, everything has to be in place.

Where does someone who’s as ambitious as you get her success kicks during time off?

I play a lot of tennis. But it’s also good for me to free up my head. Not to have to think of winning or losing all the time.

Is playing tennis on your to-do list today?

No, but I’ve got a photo shoot. And a barbecue with friends.

What performance that doesn’t have to do with skiing are you proud of?

That I’ve almost got the house spotless!