One of the most successful female downhill racers in history pleaded with the International Ski Federation yesterday to allow her to compete against men.

Lindsey Vonn first made the request in 2012 but was turned away, with the federation saying that “one gender is not entitled to participate in races of the other.”

However, Vonn is currently coming up with a proposal with US Ski Team alpine director Patrick Riml for the 2018 World Cup, which is raced at Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada.

The US skier, who won 2010 Olympic downhill gold and two World Championship titles, believes she has earnt enough respect to “have that opportunity. “I train with the men all the time and I really enjoy it,” she said.

“They push me to be a better skier. I always find myself skiing my best when I’m skiing against them.

“I pick their brain, I see what they’re doing and I, in turn, ski faster.

“I know I’m not going to win, but I would like to at least have the opportunity to try,” Vonn said in an interview with the Denver Post.

“I think I’ve won enough World Cups [76] where I should have enough respect within the industry to be able to have that opportunity.”

However, FSI women’s race director Atle Skaardal believes it wouldn’t be a good idea.

“I just don’t see the interest,” he said. For me it’s a meaningless comparison. It doesn’t matter if she’s one second behind or a half-second ahead. We compete female against female and men against men.

“To me it doesn’t matter if one gender is faster or slower. It doesn’t mean it’s a good idea, just because it’s of interest to one racer. “I haven’t heard of any other sport being dragged into this kind of position.”

Vonn is considering retiring but will continue competing if she is able to race against men and is disappointed with Skaardal’s comments.

“It’s definitely frustrating to hear that he said that because I respect Atle very much,” Vonn said.