Lindsey Vonn Confident of Being 'in a good place' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn underwent a titanium prosthesis installed in her right knee throughout her time away from the sport.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn states she will be "perfectly prepared" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, following earning a podium spot for the fourth instance in five World Cup events.
The 41-year-old, who recently made history by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, finished third in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This was her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup podium finish.
Impressive Performance in the French Alps
Returning to the French Alps resort for the first occasion in eight years, Vonn crossed the line in a time of one minute 20.60 seconds. She was just over a third of a second behind winner Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson securing second place.
"I didn't quite have enough direction on the initial jump," Vonn said. "From that point on, I performed strongly. I'm satisfied with my skiing today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was not aggressive enough."
This performance was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere during the event, having also claimed bronze in the downhill race on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Retirement
Vonn officially retired in early 2019 as a result of persistent injuries. However, she made a stunning return in December 2024 following a major knee surgery.
With just over six weeks remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are scheduled for 6-22 February, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She has one gold and two Olympic bronze medals in her collection and is firmly on track to compete for the United States at the 2026 Games.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be fully ready," Vonn affirmed.
Chasing More Titles
Alongside her Games aspirations, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has accumulated over a professional journey spanning two decades.
She currently holds a substantial lead at the top of the downhill World Cup rankings and is ranked fifth in the overall super-G standings.
This season's World Cup circuit includes a total of nine races taking place before the circuit finale in Norway on 21 March 2026.
