© 2024 KPCW

KPCW
Spencer F. Eccles Broadcast Center
PO Box 1372 | 460 Swede Alley
Park City | UT | 84060
Office: (435) 649-9004 | Studio: (435) 655-8255

Music & Artist Inquiries: music@kpcw.org
News Tips & Press Releases: news@kpcw.org
Volunteer Opportunities
General Inquiries: info@kpcw.org
Listen Like a Local Park City & Heber City Summit & Wasatch counties, Utah
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Fans of All Ages Showed Up For Lindsey Vonn Book Signing

The woman who is on pace to win the most world cup alpine ski races in history, Lindsey Vonn was in Park City Tuesday to sign her new book that drew a crowd of all ages, both girls and boys. KPCW’s Melissa Allison has more.

Known as the greatest female Alpine ski racer, Lindsey Vonn just finished what some are calling the toughest season of her career. She was coming back from injuries the previous season and then broke her arm early in this season. But like everything else, Vonn didn’t let it stop her from writing, “Strong is the New Beautiful” that was released in October. The book is described, not as just another diet book, but a guide on how to create a healthy lifestyle.

Dolly’s Book Store hosted the book signing event  that was filled to capacity.  Three members of the Park City Ski Team, 12 year old Greta Goldsmith, 11 year old Lillie Walden and 13 year old Amelia Walden said they look up to Vonn.

“She’s such a good skier," Goldsmith said, "I kind of want to be like her.”

“I feel like even though it’s been really hard for her this last season," Lillie Walden said. "She’s still like, strong through it and it inspires me to keep going and being a ski racer.”

“She’s really confident," Amelia Walden said. "She works through all the hardships to complete a goal and so she’s really inspiring that way.”

Eleven year old Will Walsh, who skis for fun, said he tagged along for the ride.

“I’m basically here right now because I figured out my aunt and my mom were going to see Lindsey Vonn," Walsh said. "They said she was a famous ski racer so I just went.”

Carter Strebeck said, though he’s not a skier, he identified with Vonn in a different way.

“It’s weird but I found a couple of similarities between her and myself," Strebeck said. "I didn’t like any traditional sports either and I adopted martial arts instead of any traditional sports, which is what she did with skiing.”

On vacation in Park City for spring break, 13 year old Anders Eisenmenger, 12 year old Brooks Peterson and 15 year old Rose Eisenmenger said they each admire Vonn for different reasons, but all of them feel a special connection to her.

“I guess I kind of like her determination," Anders Eisenmenger said. "Like no one thought she was a good skier but that made her more determined.”

“I think it’s really cool how she talks about her experiences in the Olympics," Peterson said. "And how she did everything.”

“We’re from Minnesota so she’s like a hometown hero," Rose Eisenmenger said. "Just the fact that she grew up skiing on the hill that we always ski at.”

Ashland Stin who is 9 years old got a kick out of Vonn’s answer to his question.

“I asked her if she was really good when she was little," Stin said. "She said her coach called her a turtle when she was young.”

Park City Ski Team member Tasia Tanner is 14 years old and said, seeing Vonn’s highs and lows helps her.

“Just knowing that she’s gone through it," Tanner said. "She’s definitely a role model for me and other people.”

Vonn said the book wasn’t written solely for girls.

“I mean I think the message resonates with not just girls, but women and men and pretty much anyone of all ages because it’s just about being strong and being confident in yourself and how to exercise and eat healthy," Vonn said. "I also want to, you know the girls that look up to me and the girls from my foundation, to really believe in themselves.”

About 200 people showed up for the event and store manager Sue Fassett said Vonn was great.

“This is the most popular book signing we’ve had," Fassett said. "The last one that was close to this was Apollo Ohno. It’s great to see so many people here.”