Lindsey Vonn Optimistic of Being 'in prime form' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Vonn had a titanium prosthesis placed in her right knee during her break from the sport.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn states she will be "in an excellent position" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, following securing a podium spot for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup races.
The veteran athlete, who achieved a milestone 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 represented her 142nd career World Cup top-three result.
Impressive Performance in the French Alps
Returning to the iconic venue for the first occasion in almost a decade, Vonn crossed the line in a time of one minute 20.60 seconds. She was just over a third of a second behind winner Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson securing second place.
"I was slightly lacking the right line on the first jump," Vonn remarked. "From that point on, I performed strongly. I'm satisfied with my skiing 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 over the weekend, having also finished third in the downhill on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Injury
Vonn officially retired in February 2019 because of persistent injuries. However, she staged a competitive comeback in late 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.
With 47 days remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are set to run from 6-22 February, Vonn's form are highly promising.
She has an Olympic gold and two Olympic bronze medals in her collection and is firmly on track to compete for the United States at the next Olympics.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be in a good place," the athlete confirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
Alongside her Games aspirations, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has accumulated over a career spanning two decades.
She presently enjoys a substantial lead at the top of the overall downhill standings and is ranked fifth in the super-G World Cup table.
This season's World Cup circuit includes a nine more events scheduled before the circuit finale in Kvitfjell, Norway on 21 March 2026.
