The skiing legend Optimistic of Being 'in prime form' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Vonn underwent a titanium prosthesis installed in her right knee throughout her time away from alpine racing.
Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn states she will be "perfectly prepared" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, after earning a top-three finish for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup races.
The veteran athlete, who recently made history by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, finished third in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This was her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup top-three result.
Impressive Performance in Val d'Isere
Racing in the iconic venue for the first time in almost a decade, Vonn finished the course 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 didn't quite have enough direction on the first jump," the skier commented. "Subsequently, I performed strongly. I'm happy with my performance 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 over the weekend, having also taken third in the downhill race on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Injury
Vonn officially retired in February 2019 because of persistent injuries. However, she returned to racing in December 2024 following a major knee surgery.
With 47 days remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are scheduled for 6-22 February, Vonn's form are timely.
She boasts one gold and two Olympic bronze medals from previous Games and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the next Olympics.
"At the Olympics, I will be where I need to be," the athlete confirmed.
Chasing More Titles
In addition to her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has won over a professional journey spanning two decades.
She presently enjoys a substantial lead at the summit of the overall downhill standings and is ranked fifth in the super-G World Cup table.
This current World Cup campaign features a total of nine races taking place before the season finals in Norway on 21 March 2026.
