The skiing legend Optimistic of Being 'in a good place' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
The veteran skier underwent a artificial joint placed in her right knee during her hiatus from competitive skiing.
Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn asserts she will be "in an excellent position" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, following claiming a place on the rostrum for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup competitions.
The 41-year-old, who last week set a record by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, came in third place in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This marked her 142nd career World Cup podium finish.
Strong Return in Val d'Isere
Returning to the iconic venue 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 taking second place.
"I didn't quite have the right line on the initial jump," the skier commented. "Subsequently, I skied well. I'm pleased with my skiing today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was not aggressive enough."
This result was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere during the event, having also taken third in the downhill on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Retirement
Vonn officially retired in February 2019 as a result of persistent injuries. However, she staged a competitive comeback in December 2024 after a major knee surgery.
With 47 days remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are set to run from 6-22 February, Vonn's form are highly promising.
She boasts one gold and two Olympic bronze medals in her collection and is strongly positioned to represent the United States at the next Olympics.
"In Cortina, I will be where I need to be," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
In addition to her Games aspirations, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four World Cup titles she has accumulated over a career spanning two decades.
She currently holds a substantial lead at the summit of the downhill World Cup rankings and is ranked fifth in the super-G World Cup table.
This season's World Cup campaign features a total of nine races taking place before the circuit finale in Norway on March 21st, 2026.
