Lindsey Vonn Assured of Being 'perfectly positioned' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn underwent a titanium prosthesis placed in her right knee during her time away from the sport.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn asserts she will be "perfectly prepared" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, after claiming a place on the rostrum for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup competitions.
The 41-year-old, 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 was her 142nd career World Cup podium finish.
Impressive Performance in the French Alps
Competing at the French Alps resort for the first occasion in eight years, Vonn finished the course in a time of one minute 20.60 seconds. 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 enough direction on the first jump," Vonn said. "From that point on, I skied well. I'm happy with my run today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This performance was her second podium at Val d'Isere during the event, having also finished third in the downhill on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Injury
Vonn officially retired in early 2019 as a result of persistent injuries. However, she made a stunning return in December 2024 after a major knee surgery.
With just over six weeks remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are set to run from February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's form are timely.
She boasts an Olympic gold and two bronze medals from previous Games and is firmly on track to represent the United States at the 2026 Games.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be in a good place," the athlete confirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
In addition to her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has won over a career spanning 20 years.
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 campaign features a total of nine races taking place before the season finals in Kvitfjell, Norway on March 21st, 2026.
