The American champion Assured of Being 'perfectly positioned' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Vonn underwent a artificial joint fitted to her right knee during her time away from the sport.
Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn states she will be "in an excellent position" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, following claiming a podium spot for the fourth instance in five World Cup competitions.
The veteran athlete, who achieved a milestone 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 one hundred and forty-second career World Cup podium finish.
Impressive Performance in Val d'Isere
Returning to the French Alps resort for the first time 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 winner Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson securing the runner-up spot.
"I was slightly lacking enough direction on the first jump," Vonn said. "From that point on, I performed strongly. I'm happy with my skiing today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This result was her second podium at Val d'Isere during the event, having also taken third in the downhill race on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Retirement
Vonn stepped away from competition in early 2019 as a result of ongoing knee problems. However, she returned to racing in December 2024 following a significant orthopedic procedure.
With 47 days remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are scheduled for 6-22 February, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She already possesses one gold and two bronze medals from previous Games and is strongly positioned to represent the United States at the 2026 Games.
"In Cortina, I will be where I need to be," the athlete confirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
Alongside her Games aspirations, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four overall crystal globes she has secured over a career spanning two decades.
She currently holds a substantial lead at the top of the downhill World Cup rankings and is ranked fifth in the super-G World Cup table.
This season's World Cup campaign includes a total of nine races scheduled before the circuit finale in Norway on March 21st, 2026.
