The American champion Confident of Being 'in prime form' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
The veteran skier underwent a artificial joint installed in her right knee during her break from the sport.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn asserts she will be "in a good place" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, following 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, came in third place in the super-G in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This marked her 142nd career World Cup podium finish.
Impressive Performance in Val d'Isere
Returning to the iconic venue for the first occasion in eight years, Vonn finished the course 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 initial jump," Vonn said. "After that, I performed strongly. I'm satisfied with my run today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was too conservative."
This result was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also claimed bronze in the downhill on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Retirement
Vonn officially retired in February 2019 as a result of ongoing knee problems. However, she made a stunning return in December 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.
With 47 days remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are set to run from 6-22 February, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She boasts an Olympic 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 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 ranked fifth in the overall super-G standings.
This current World Cup circuit includes a total of nine races scheduled before the season finals in Norway on March 21st, 2026.
