Lindsey Vonn Confident of Being 'perfectly positioned' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Vonn had a titanium prosthesis placed in her right knee throughout her break from the sport.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "perfectly prepared" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, after earning a place on the rostrum for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup races.
The veteran athlete, who achieved a milestone by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, finished third in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This was her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup top-three result.
Strong Return in Val d'Isere
Returning to the French Alps resort for the first time in almost a decade, 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 the runner-up spot.
"I didn't quite have enough direction on the initial jump," Vonn said. "After that, I performed strongly. I'm happy with my run today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This performance was her second podium at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also claimed bronze in the downhill race on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Retirement
Vonn officially retired in early 2019 because of persistent injuries. However, she staged a competitive comeback 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 boasts an Olympic gold and two Olympic bronze medals from previous Games and is strongly positioned to represent the United States at the 2026 Games.
"At the Olympics, I will be fully ready," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
Alongside her Games aspirations, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has won over a career spanning 20 years.
She presently enjoys a substantial lead at the top of the overall downhill standings and is ranked fifth in the overall super-G standings.
This current World Cup circuit includes a nine more events scheduled before the circuit finale in Kvitfjell, Norway on 21 March 2026.
