Lindsey Vonn Assured of Being 'in a good place' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Vonn had a surgical implant installed in her right knee during her hiatus from alpine racing.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "perfectly prepared" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, on the back of earning a top-three finish for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup races.
The 41-year-old, who achieved a milestone by becoming the most senior racer to win a downhill World Cup winner, finished third in the super-G in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This marked her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup podium finish.
Impressive Performance in the French Alps
Racing in the French Alps resort for the first time in almost a decade, Vonn crossed the line in a time of one minute 20.60 seconds. She was just over a third of a second behind victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson securing the runner-up spot.
"I didn't quite have the right line on the first jump," the skier commented. "After that, I performed strongly. I'm happy with my performance today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
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 Injury
Vonn officially retired in February 2019 as a result of persistent injuries. However, she made a stunning return in late 2024 after a major knee surgery.
With less than two months remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are scheduled for 6-22 February, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She boasts an Olympic gold and two bronze medals from previous Games and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the next Olympics.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be fully ready," the athlete confirmed.
Chasing More Titles
In addition to her Games aspirations, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has won over a professional journey spanning 20 years.
She presently enjoys a substantial lead at the summit of the overall downhill standings and is sitting in fifth place in the overall super-G standings.
This season's World Cup circuit features a total of nine races scheduled before the season finals in Kvitfjell, Norway on March 21st, 2026.
