When Lindsey Vonn decided to return to downhill ski racing this season at the age of 40, after nearly six years of retirement with a new titanium knee, the criticism from prominent retired skiers like Franz Klammer, Marc Girardelli, Pirmin Zurbriggen, Bruno Kernen, Michaela Dorfmeister and Sonja Nef was so scathing that the underlying theme suggested the American had psychological issues.

However, there are many other current and retired skiers close in age to Vonn who think just the opposite.

Take Marcel Hirscher, the eight-time overall champion who also made a comeback this season at age 35, albeit a stuttering one after injuring his left knee in December.

"It is very unfair. I can't understand those messages," Hirscher said of the criticism aimed at Vonn. "Because for me, it is just inspiring. Lindsey showed us that, if you have a big dream, it doesn't matter how huge the steps are that have to be taken. Lindsey showed us you can achieve this."

Hirscher added that he was "close to crying" when he saw Vonn finish sixth and fourth on consecutive days in St Anton, Austria, last month in only the second and third races of her comeback.

"It was crazy," Hirscher said. "No one was expecting this. She is a big role model for all human beings, showing that big dreams, big wishes, if you work for it, everything — mostly everything — is possible."