World Cup ski champion Lindsey Vonn is returning to her home state and Afton Alps Ski Area to greet fans and aspiring ski racers, sign autographs and talk about her Minnesota beginnings and eventual worldwide success.

Her visit at 5 p.m. Friday comes during Afton's annual Fall Fair and Swap, Minnesota's unofficial kickoff to the ski season. Family fun includes hayrides, chairlift rides and a ski and snowboard swap.

Vonn, a Burnsville native, is the only American woman ever to win downhill gold at the Olympics and the only U.S. woman with four World Cup overall titles. She has since captured a U.S. record 59 World Cup victories. In addition to her 2010 Olympic downhill gold and super G bronze, she holds five world championship medals, including double gold in 2009.

Staff Reports