The skiing legend Confident of Being 'in a good place' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Vonn had a artificial joint installed in her right knee throughout her hiatus from the sport.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "perfectly prepared" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, on the back of earning a place on the rostrum for the fourth time in five World Cup events.
The veteran athlete, who recently made history by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, took the bronze position in the super-G in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This was her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup podium finish.
Impressive Performance in Val d'Isere
Competing at 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 just over a third of a second behind victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson securing second place.
"I didn't quite have the right line on the first jump," Vonn said. "After that, I performed strongly. I'm happy with my run today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This performance was her second podium at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also finished third in the downhill race on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Injury
Vonn stepped away from competition in February 2019 because of ongoing knee problems. However, she returned to racing in late 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.
With less than two months remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are scheduled for 6-22 February, Vonn's form are timely.
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.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be where I need to be," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
Alongside her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has won over a professional journey spanning two decades.
She currently holds a 69-point lead at the top of the downhill World Cup rankings and is sitting in fifth place in the overall super-G standings.
This current World Cup campaign features a total of nine races scheduled before the season finals in Kvitfjell, Norway on 21 March 2026.
