Lindsey Vonn Assured of Being 'in a good place' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Vonn had a titanium prosthesis placed in her right knee throughout her time away from the sport.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn states she will be "perfectly prepared" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, after securing a top-three finish for the fourth instance in five World Cup competitions.
The veteran athlete, who recently made history by becoming the most senior racer to win a downhill World Cup winner, came in third place in the super-G in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This marked her 142nd career World Cup top-three result.
Strong Return in the French Alps
Competing at the French Alps resort for the first time in eight years, Vonn finished the course in a time of 1:20.60. She was 0.36 seconds behind winner 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 initial jump," Vonn said. "Subsequently, I performed strongly. I'm pleased with my skiing today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was too conservative."
This performance was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere during the event, having also claimed bronze in the downhill on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Retirement
Vonn stepped away from competition in early 2019 due to ongoing knee problems. However, she made a stunning return in late 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.
With less than two months remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are set to run from 6-22 February, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She has an Olympic gold and two bronze medals in her collection and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the next Olympics.
"At the Olympics, I will be where I need to be," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
In addition to her Games aspirations, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four overall crystal globes she has secured over a career spanning 20 years.
She currently holds a substantial lead at the summit of the downhill World Cup rankings and is ranked fifth in the super-G World Cup table.
This current World Cup campaign includes a nine more events scheduled before the circuit finale in Kvitfjell, Norway on 21 March 2026.
