Three-time Olympic champion Maria Höfl-Riesch talks about her rivalry with Lindsey Vonn in a podcast and reveals why their friendship did not survive the fierce competition.

Three-time Olympic champion Maria Höfl-Riesch recently opened up about her past rivalry with skiing legend Lindsey Vonn.
She discussed their intense competition and how it affected their personal relationship off the slopes.

Speaking on a podcast, Höfl-Riesch admitted that their battle for dominance strained their once-close friendship.
Both athletes were fierce competitors, constantly pushing each other to new limits during their remarkable skiing careers.

Höfl-Riesch revealed that their friendship eventually faded as professional ambitions overshadowed personal bonds.
The pressure to stay on top made maintaining a healthy relationship nearly impossible for both women.

Despite the fallout, she expressed respect for Vonn’s achievements and acknowledged how their rivalry fueled her own success.
Höfl-Riesch believes such rivalries are part of what makes elite sport so compelling.