The skiing legend Assured of Being 'perfectly positioned' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
The veteran skier underwent a artificial joint fitted to her right knee throughout her hiatus from alpine racing.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn asserts she will be "in a good place" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, following earning a top-three finish for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup competitions.
The 41-year-old, who recently made history by becoming the most senior racer to win a downhill World Cup winner, finished third in the super-G in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This marked her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup podium finish.
Impressive Performance in the French Alps
Returning to the French Alps resort for the first occasion in almost a decade, Vonn crossed the line in a time of 1:20.60. She was 0.36 seconds behind winner Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson securing second place.
"I didn't quite have enough direction on the initial jump," the skier commented. "From that point on, I performed strongly. I'm happy with my performance today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was not aggressive enough."
This result was her second podium at Val d'Isere during the event, having also claimed bronze in the downhill on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Retirement
Vonn stepped away from competition in February 2019 due to ongoing knee problems. However, she made a stunning return in December 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.
With just over six weeks remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are set to run from 6-22 February, Vonn's performances are timely.
She has an Olympic gold and two Olympic bronze medals in her collection and is firmly on track to compete for the United States at the 2026 Games.
"When we get to 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 World Cup titles she has secured over a professional journey spanning 20 years.
She currently holds a 69-point lead at the summit of the overall downhill standings and is sitting in fifth place in the super-G World Cup table.
This season's World Cup campaign includes a nine more events taking place before the season finals in Norway on 21 March 2026.
