Lindsey Vonn Assured of Being 'perfectly positioned' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Vonn had a surgical implant installed in her right knee throughout her hiatus from competitive skiing.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn asserts she will be "in an excellent position" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, following earning a podium spot for the fourth instance in five World Cup events.
The 41-year-old, who achieved a milestone by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, came in third place in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This marked her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup top-three result.
Strong Return in the French Alps
Competing at the iconic venue 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 victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson taking the runner-up spot.
"I was slightly lacking enough direction on the initial jump," Vonn said. "From that point on, I performed strongly. I'm satisfied with my run today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was not aggressive enough."
This performance was her second podium at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also taken third in the downhill race on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Retirement
Vonn stepped away from competition in February 2019 as a result of persistent injuries. However, she returned to racing in December 2024 following a major knee surgery.
With 47 days remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are set to run from February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's form are timely.
She has an Olympic gold and two bronze medals in her collection and is firmly on track to represent the United States at the next Olympics.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be where I need to be," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
In addition to her Games aspirations, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four overall crystal globes 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 super-G World Cup table.
This season's World Cup campaign includes a total of nine races taking place before the circuit finale in Kvitfjell, Norway on 21 March 2026.
