The skiing legend Assured of Being 'in a good place' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn had a titanium prosthesis installed in her right knee throughout her hiatus from alpine racing.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn states she will be "in a good place" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, on the back of claiming a podium spot for the fourth time in five World Cup events.
The veteran athlete, who achieved a milestone by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, came in third place in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This was her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup podium finish.
Strong Return in Val d'Isere
Returning to the French Alps resort for the first occasion in almost a decade, Vonn crossed the line in a time of one minute 20.60 seconds. She was 0.36 seconds behind victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson securing second place.
"I was slightly lacking the right line on the first jump," the skier commented. "After that, I performed strongly. I'm pleased with my skiing today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This performance was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere during the event, having also claimed bronze in the downhill race on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Injury
Vonn ended her career in February 2019 due to ongoing knee problems. However, she staged a competitive comeback in late 2024 following a significant orthopedic procedure.
With 47 days remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are scheduled for February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's performances are timely.
She has one gold and two Olympic bronze medals in her collection and is firmly on track to represent the United States at the 2026 Games.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be where I need to be," the athlete confirmed.
Chasing More Titles
Alongside her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has secured over a professional journey spanning 20 years.
She presently enjoys a substantial lead at the top of the downhill World Cup rankings and is sitting in fifth place in the super-G World Cup table.
This current World Cup circuit features a total of nine races taking place before the season finals in Norway on 21 March 2026.
