Lindsey Vonn Assured of Being 'in a good place' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
The veteran skier underwent a artificial joint fitted to her right knee throughout her hiatus from alpine racing.
Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn asserts she will be "perfectly prepared" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, on the back of securing a top-three finish for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup competitions.
The veteran athlete, who achieved a milestone by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, finished third in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This represented her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup podium finish.
Impressive Performance in Val d'Isere
Competing at the French Alps resort for the first occasion in eight years, Vonn finished the course in a time of 1:20.60. She was 0.36 seconds behind victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson taking the runner-up spot.
"I was slightly lacking the right line on the initial jump," the skier commented. "After that, I skied well. I'm satisfied with my run today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This result was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also finished third in the downhill on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Retirement
Vonn officially retired in early 2019 because of ongoing knee problems. However, she staged a competitive comeback in December 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.
With just over six weeks remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are set to run from 6-22 February, Vonn's form are timely.
She already possesses one gold and two Olympic bronze medals in her collection and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the next Olympics.
"In Cortina, I will be fully ready," the athlete confirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
Alongside her Games aspirations, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has secured over a professional journey spanning 20 years.
She currently holds a 69-point lead at the summit of the downhill World Cup rankings and is ranked fifth in the overall super-G standings.
This season's World Cup circuit includes a nine more events scheduled before the circuit finale in Kvitfjell, Norway on March 21st, 2026.
