The skiing legend Optimistic of Being 'in prime form' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
The veteran skier had a artificial joint fitted to her right knee throughout her hiatus from competitive skiing.
Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn states she will be "in a good place" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, following earning a podium spot for the fourth instance 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, took the bronze position 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
Racing in the iconic venue for the first occasion in eight years, Vonn crossed the line in a time of 1:20.60. She was just over a third of a second 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," the skier commented. "After that, I skied well. I'm satisfied with my run today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This performance was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere during the event, having also claimed bronze in the downhill on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Retirement
Vonn ended her career in early 2019 due to ongoing knee problems. However, she staged a competitive comeback in late 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.
With just over six weeks remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are set to run from February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's form are highly promising.
She has an Olympic gold and two bronze medals from previous Games and is firmly on track to compete for the United States at the 2026 Games.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be fully ready," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
In addition to her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has secured over a career spanning 20 years.
She currently holds a substantial lead at the summit of the downhill World Cup rankings and is ranked fifth in the super-G World Cup table.
This current World Cup circuit includes a nine more events scheduled before the circuit finale in Norway on 21 March 2026.
