Lindsey Vonn Optimistic of Being 'perfectly positioned' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
The veteran skier had a surgical implant installed in her right knee during her hiatus from alpine racing.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn states she will be "in an excellent position" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, after earning a podium spot for the fourth time in her last five World Cup competitions.
The veteran athlete, who last week set a record by becoming the most senior racer to win a downhill World Cup winner, came in third place in the super-G 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
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 was slightly lacking the right line on the initial jump," the skier commented. "Subsequently, I performed strongly. I'm happy 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 over the weekend, having also claimed bronze in the downhill race on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Retirement
Vonn officially retired in February 2019 because of ongoing knee problems. However, she staged a competitive comeback in December 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.
With just over six weeks remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are scheduled for February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's performances are timely.
She has an Olympic gold and two bronze medals from previous Games and is firmly on track to compete for the United States at the next Olympics.
"In Cortina, I will be in a good place," 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 two decades.
She presently enjoys a substantial lead at the summit of the downhill World Cup rankings and is ranked fifth in the super-G World Cup table.
This current World Cup circuit features a total of nine races taking place before the circuit finale in Kvitfjell, Norway on 21 March 2026.
