Lindsey Vonn Assured of Being 'in prime form' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Vonn had a titanium prosthesis installed in her right knee during her break from competitive skiing.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "perfectly prepared" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, on the back of securing a top-three finish for the fourth instance in five World Cup races.
The veteran athlete, who last week set a record by becoming the oldest 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.
Strong Return in the French Alps
Returning to the iconic venue for the first time in almost a decade, Vonn finished the course in a time of 1:20.60. She was 0.36 seconds behind winner Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson taking the runner-up spot.
"I was slightly lacking enough direction on the first jump," Vonn remarked. "Subsequently, 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 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 ongoing knee problems. However, she made a stunning return in December 2024 following a significant orthopedic procedure.
With less than two months remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are set to run from February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She already possesses one gold and two bronze medals in her collection and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the next Olympics.
"In Cortina, I will be in a good place," Vonn affirmed.
Chasing More Titles
Alongside her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four World Cup titles she has accumulated over a professional journey spanning two decades.
She currently holds a 69-point lead at the top of the downhill World Cup rankings and is sitting in fifth place in the overall super-G standings.
This season's World Cup circuit features a nine more events taking place before the circuit finale in Norway on March 21st, 2026.