Lindsey Vonn Assured of Being 'in prime form' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Vonn underwent a artificial joint installed in her right knee during her time away from competitive skiing.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "perfectly prepared" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, after claiming a place on the rostrum for the fourth time in five World Cup races.
The veteran athlete, who recently made history by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, took the bronze position in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This was her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup top-three result.
Strong Return 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 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 the right line on the first jump," Vonn remarked. "Subsequently, I skied well. I'm happy with my performance today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This result was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere during the event, having also taken third in the downhill on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Injury
Vonn stepped away from competition in early 2019 as a result of ongoing knee problems. However, she returned to racing in late 2024 following a significant orthopedic procedure.
With less than two months remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are set to run from 6-22 February, Vonn's form are highly promising.
She boasts one gold and two bronze medals from previous Games and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the 2026 Games.
"In Cortina, I will be fully ready," Vonn affirmed.
Chasing More Titles
Alongside her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four overall crystal globes she has accumulated 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 season's World Cup campaign features a total of nine races taking place before the circuit finale in Kvitfjell, Norway on 21 March 2026.
