Lindsey Vonn Confident 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 competitive skiing.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn asserts she will be "perfectly prepared" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, after claiming a top-three finish for the fourth time in five World Cup competitions.
The 41-year-old, who recently made history by becoming the most senior racer to win a downhill World Cup winner, finished third in the super-G in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This marked her 142nd career World Cup podium finish.
Impressive Performance in the French Alps
Returning to the iconic venue for the first time in almost a decade, 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 taking second place.
"I was slightly lacking enough direction on the initial jump," the skier commented. "After that, I skied well. I'm pleased with my performance today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was not aggressive enough."
This performance was her second podium at Val d'Isere during the event, having also taken third in the downhill on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Injury
Vonn officially retired in February 2019 due to persistent injuries. However, she staged a competitive comeback in December 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.
With just over six weeks remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are set to run from February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's performances are timely.
She has an Olympic gold and two Olympic bronze medals from previous Games and is firmly on track to compete for the United States at the next Olympics.
"In Cortina, I will be in a good place," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
Alongside her Games aspirations, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has accumulated over a professional journey spanning two decades.
She presently enjoys a substantial lead at the summit of the downhill World Cup rankings and is sitting in fifth place in the overall super-G standings.
This season's World Cup campaign includes a total of nine races scheduled before the season finals in Kvitfjell, Norway on March 21st, 2026.
