Lindsey Vonn Assured of Being 'in prime form' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Vonn underwent a artificial joint installed in her right knee during her break from competitive skiing.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn asserts she will be "in an excellent position" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, following securing a top-three finish for the fourth instance in five World Cup races.
The veteran athlete, who recently made history by becoming the most senior racer to win a downhill World Cup winner, took the bronze position in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This represented her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup top-three result.
Strong Return in the French Alps
Racing in the iconic venue for the first time in eight years, Vonn crossed the line in a time of one minute 20.60 seconds. She was 0.36 seconds behind winner Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson taking the runner-up spot.
"I didn't quite have the right line on the initial jump," Vonn said. "From that point on, I performed strongly. I'm pleased with my skiing today, in contrast to 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 taken third in the downhill race on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Retirement
Vonn officially retired in February 2019 because of persistent injuries. However, she made a stunning return in late 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.
With less than two months remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are scheduled for February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She already possesses an Olympic gold and two Olympic bronze medals from previous Games and is firmly on track to represent the United States at the next Olympics.
"At the Olympics, I will be in a good place," the athlete confirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
In addition to her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four overall crystal globes she has secured over a professional journey spanning two decades.
She currently holds a 69-point lead at the summit of the downhill World Cup rankings and is sitting in fifth place in the super-G World Cup table.
This season's World Cup campaign includes a total of nine races taking place before the season finals in Norway on March 21st, 2026.
