Lindsey Vonn Confident of Being 'in prime form' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
The veteran skier had a titanium prosthesis placed in her right knee during her time away from the sport.
Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn states she will be "perfectly prepared" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, on the back of securing a place on the rostrum for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup races.
The veteran athlete, who recently made history by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, took the bronze position in the super giant slalom 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
Returning to the iconic venue for the first occasion in eight years, Vonn finished the course 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 taking second place.
"I didn't quite have enough direction on the first jump," the skier commented. "After that, I performed strongly. I'm happy with my skiing today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was not aggressive enough."
This result was her second podium at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also finished third in the downhill on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Injury
Vonn stepped away from competition in February 2019 because of persistent injuries. However, she returned to racing in late 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.
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 performances are timely.
She boasts one 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 where I need to be," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
In addition to her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has secured over a career spanning 20 years.
She presently enjoys 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 scheduled before the season finals in Kvitfjell, Norway on 21 March 2026.
