Lindsey Vonn Optimistic of Being 'in a good place' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Vonn had a artificial joint installed in her right knee during her time away from competitive skiing.
Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn states she will be "perfectly prepared" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, on the back of claiming a place on the rostrum for the fourth time in five World Cup competitions.
The veteran athlete, who recently made history 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 marked her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup top-three result.
Impressive Performance in Val d'Isere
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 securing second place.
"I was slightly lacking the right line on the initial jump," Vonn remarked. "After that, I performed strongly. I'm happy with my skiing today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was too conservative."
This result was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere during the event, having also taken third in the downhill race on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Injury
Vonn officially retired in early 2019 due to persistent injuries. However, she made a stunning return in late 2024 after a partial knee replacement.
With just over six weeks remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are scheduled for 6-22 February, Vonn's form are highly promising.
She has one gold and two Olympic bronze medals from previous Games and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the next Olympics.
"In Cortina, I will be where I need to be," Vonn affirmed.
Chasing More Titles
Alongside her Games aspirations, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four World Cup titles she has secured over a career spanning 20 years.
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 circuit features a total of nine races scheduled before the season finals in Kvitfjell, Norway on 21 March 2026.
