Lindsey Vonn Optimistic of Being 'perfectly positioned' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn had a titanium prosthesis placed in her right knee throughout her hiatus from the sport.
Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn asserts she will be "in a good place" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, following claiming a top-three finish for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup races.
The 41-year-old, 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 marked her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup top-three result.
Strong Return in the French Alps
Competing at the iconic venue for the first occasion in almost a decade, 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 enough direction on the initial jump," Vonn said. "From that point on, I skied well. I'm pleased with my run today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was not aggressive enough."
This performance 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 Injury
Vonn stepped away from competition in February 2019 as a result of ongoing knee problems. However, she made a stunning return in December 2024 after a partial knee replacement.
With 47 days remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are set to run from 6-22 February, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She has an Olympic gold and two Olympic bronze medals in her collection and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the next Olympics.
"In Cortina, I will be in a good place," Vonn affirmed.
Chasing More Titles
In addition to her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four overall crystal globes she has secured over a career spanning 20 years.
She presently enjoys a 69-point lead at the summit of the overall downhill standings and is ranked fifth in the super-G World Cup table.
This current World Cup campaign features a total of nine races taking place before the season finals in Kvitfjell, Norway on March 21st, 2026.
