Skier Lindsey Vonn asks permission to enter men's downhill race

Skier Lindsey Vonn wants to compete in the men's downhill to increase awareness of her sport. (Alexis Boichard/Agence/Getty Images)

World Cup skiing champion and Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn sent a letter to International Ski Federation to ask permission to enter a men's downhill race so she can enhance women's alpine skiing's image, reports Reuters.

Vonn sent a letter to men's race director Gunter Hujara, asking him about the possibility of competing in the men's downhill at Lake Louise, Alberta.

"We have been talking about it but no decision has been taken yet, it's a matter that the FIS Council has to examine during its next meeting in November," said Norway's Atle Skaardal, the women's World Cup race director. "It's necessary to go through the rules to see if there is a way to do this and also a reason to do it."

Vonn has won 53 World Cup events, including 26 downhills and became the fourth woman to win all five disciplines of modern alpine ski racing.

"It's complicated because no racer is supposed to ski on a race course a week prior to his or her own competition. If Lindsey Vonn could train and compete with the men in November, she would have a huge advantage on her rivals the following week during the women's races on the same course," Skaardal said.