Lindsey Vonn Confident of Being 'perfectly positioned' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Vonn underwent a artificial joint placed in 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 claiming a place on the rostrum for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup races.
The veteran athlete, who last week set a record 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 top-three result.
Strong Return in Val d'Isere
Returning to the French Alps resort for the first occasion in eight years, Vonn crossed the line 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 securing the runner-up spot.
"I was slightly lacking the right line on the first jump," Vonn said. "Subsequently, I performed strongly. I'm pleased with my run 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 over the weekend, having also finished third in the downhill on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Retirement
Vonn stepped away from competition in February 2019 because of persistent injuries. However, she returned to racing in December 2024 following a significant orthopedic procedure.
With less than two months remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are set to run from February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's form are highly promising.
She has an Olympic gold and two bronze medals from previous Games and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the 2026 Games.
"In Cortina, I will be fully ready," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
In addition to her Games aspirations, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four overall crystal globes she has won over a professional journey spanning 20 years.
She currently holds a substantial lead at the top of the overall downhill standings and is sitting in fifth place in the super-G World Cup table.
This current World Cup campaign includes a total of nine races taking place before the circuit finale in Norway on 21 March 2026.