skier,

Look at it a different way. Induced drag is the vector component of lift that is parallel to the direction of flight. During cruise flight, at high speed the angle of attack is small so the lift vector is NEAR vertical, only a small component of left is directed rearward. In slow speed flight, your wing's angle of attack is high so the component of lift is well split between lift perpendicular to flight (holding the aircraft in the air), and lift dragging on the aircraft (induced drag).

That provide adequate new confusion?

Bedford