Lindsey Vonn targets 2018 Winter Olympics before race against male opponents

Skier Lindsey Vonn is hoping to race on through the 2019 season with the aim of competing against male rivals in her final season.

The American great has the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea as her main target as she thinks about retirement, but she still hopes to get the chance to race her male counterparts before calling time on her career.

Vonn asked to compete against the men in 2012 at her favourite course - Lake Louise in Canada - but her request was turned down by the International Ski Federation (FIS).

The 31-year-old has battled injuries over the last couple of seasons, but she bounced back to form in 2015-16 and clinched her eighth World Cup downhill title before being hurt again.

"The goal is definitely to make it to the next Olympics in South Korea in 2018, so that's two more seasons," Vonn said.

"But I'm really hoping for three seasons, and I'll tell you why - it's because, in my final season, I would like to race against the men in one race."

Vonn concedes that she will be unable to compete much beyond 2018 because of the damage she has suffered, especially to her knees, in a series of high-speed crashes.

But she remains hopeful that it will not be an injury that causes a premature end to her career.

"Eventually it will get to the point where, physically, there will only be one decision left to make. So I have to just be prepared for that. I just hope it doesn't come too soon."