The skiing legend Optimistic of Being 'in prime form' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
The veteran skier had a titanium prosthesis placed in her right knee throughout her break from competitive skiing.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn asserts she will be "in a good place" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, after claiming a top-three finish for the fourth time in her last 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-G in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This was her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup top-three result.
Impressive Performance in the French Alps
Racing in 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 winner Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson securing second place.
"I was slightly lacking enough direction on the first jump," Vonn said. "From that point on, I skied well. I'm happy with my skiing today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This result was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also claimed bronze in the downhill on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Retirement
Vonn stepped away from competition in February 2019 as a result of persistent injuries. However, she made a stunning return in late 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 boasts one gold and two bronze medals in her collection and is strongly positioned to represent the United States at the next Olympics.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be in a good place," the athlete confirmed.
Chasing More Titles
Alongside her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four World Cup titles she has secured over a professional journey spanning two decades.
She presently enjoys a substantial lead at the summit of the overall downhill standings and is ranked fifth in the overall super-G standings.
This current World Cup campaign includes a nine more events scheduled before the circuit finale in Norway on 21 March 2026.
