Lindsey Vonn Assured of Being 'in a good place' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Vonn had a titanium prosthesis installed in her right knee throughout her hiatus from the sport.
Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn states she will be "in an excellent position" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, after claiming a podium spot for the fourth time in her last five World Cup events.
The 41-year-old, who achieved a milestone by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, took the bronze position in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This was her 142nd career World Cup podium finish.
Impressive Performance in Val d'Isere
Racing in 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 0.36 seconds behind winner Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson securing second place.
"I was slightly lacking enough direction on the first jump," the skier commented. "From that point on, I performed strongly. I'm pleased with my performance today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This result was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also finished third in the downhill race on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Injury
Vonn stepped away from competition in February 2019 because of persistent injuries. However, she made a stunning return in December 2024 following a partial knee replacement.
With less than two months remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are scheduled for February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She already possesses an Olympic gold and two Olympic bronze medals in her collection and is strongly positioned to represent the United States at the 2026 Games.
"At the Olympics, I will be where I need to be," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
Alongside her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four overall crystal globes she has won over a professional journey spanning 20 years.
She presently enjoys a 69-point lead at the summit of the overall downhill standings and is sitting in fifth place in the overall super-G standings.
This current World Cup campaign includes a nine more events scheduled before the season finals in Norway on 21 March 2026.
