Lindsey Vonn Assured of Being 'perfectly positioned' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
The veteran skier underwent a surgical implant fitted to her right knee throughout her hiatus from the sport.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn asserts she will be "perfectly prepared" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, on the back of claiming a podium spot for the fourth time in five World Cup events.
The 41-year-old, who last week set a record by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, came in third place in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This was her 142nd career World Cup podium finish.
Impressive Performance in Val d'Isere
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 just over a third of a second behind victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson securing second place.
"I was slightly lacking enough direction on the first jump," the skier commented. "From that point on, I skied well. I'm satisfied with my performance today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was too conservative."
This result was her second podium at Val d'Isere during the event, having also taken third in the downhill race on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Injury
Vonn stepped away from competition in February 2019 due to ongoing knee problems. However, she staged a competitive comeback in late 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.
With less than two months 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 Olympic bronze medals in her collection and is strongly positioned to represent the United States at the next Olympics.
"At the Olympics, I will be where I need to be," the athlete confirmed.
Chasing More Titles
Alongside her Games aspirations, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four World Cup titles she has accumulated over a professional journey spanning 20 years.
She presently enjoys a 69-point lead at the summit of the overall downhill standings and is sitting in fifth place in the overall super-G standings.
This season's World Cup campaign includes a nine more events scheduled before the season finals in Norway on March 21st, 2026.
