The skiing legend Assured of Being 'in prime form' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Vonn had a artificial joint fitted to her right knee throughout her hiatus from competitive skiing.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn states she will be "in a good place" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, following 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 most senior racer to win a downhill World Cup winner, came in third place in the super giant slalom 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 eight years, Vonn finished the course in a time of one minute 20.60 seconds. She was just over a third of a second behind victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson taking the runner-up spot.
"I didn't quite have the right line on the first jump," the skier commented. "From that point on, 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 top-three finish at Val d'Isere during the event, having also taken third in the downhill on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Retirement
Vonn officially retired in early 2019 because of persistent injuries. However, she made a stunning return in late 2024 following a partial knee replacement.
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 already possesses one gold and two bronze medals from previous Games and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the next Olympics.
"In Cortina, I will be in a good place," the athlete confirmed.
Chasing More Titles
Alongside her Games aspirations, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four overall crystal globes she has accumulated over a professional journey spanning two decades.
She currently holds a 69-point lead at the top of the overall downhill standings and is ranked fifth in the overall super-G standings.
This current World Cup circuit features a total of nine races scheduled before the circuit finale in Kvitfjell, Norway on 21 March 2026.
