Lindsey Vonn Assured of Being 'in a good place' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn underwent a surgical implant fitted to her right knee throughout her break from competitive skiing.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "in a good place" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, on the back of claiming a top-three finish for the fourth instance in five World Cup competitions.
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 marked her 142nd career World Cup podium finish.
Impressive Performance in Val d'Isere
Returning to the French Alps resort for the first occasion in eight years, Vonn finished the course in a time of 1:20.60. She was 0.36 seconds behind victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson taking the runner-up spot.
"I didn't quite have enough direction on the initial jump," Vonn said. "From that point on, I skied well. I'm pleased with my skiing today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was too conservative."
This result was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere during the event, having also taken third in the downhill race on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Retirement
Vonn officially retired in early 2019 because of persistent injuries. However, she made a stunning return 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 highly promising.
She has an Olympic gold and two bronze medals in her collection and is firmly on track to represent the United States at the next Olympics.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be fully ready," the athlete confirmed.
Chasing More Titles
Alongside her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has accumulated over a career spanning two decades.
She presently enjoys a 69-point lead at the top of the downhill World Cup rankings and is ranked fifth in the super-G World Cup table.
This current World Cup circuit includes a nine more events scheduled before the season finals in Norway on March 21st, 2026.
