The American champion Optimistic of Being 'in a good place' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Vonn had a artificial joint fitted to her right knee throughout her time away from the sport.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn states she will be "perfectly prepared" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, following securing a podium spot for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup competitions.
The veteran athlete, who achieved a milestone 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 Val d'Isere
Racing in the iconic venue for the first occasion in almost a decade, 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 securing the runner-up spot.
"I didn't quite have the right line on the initial jump," the skier commented. "After that, I performed strongly. I'm happy with my performance 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 finished third in the downhill on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Injury
Vonn officially retired in February 2019 due to persistent injuries. However, she made a stunning return in December 2024 after a major knee surgery.
With less than two months remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are set to run from 6-22 February, Vonn's form are highly promising.
She boasts an Olympic gold and two Olympic bronze medals from previous Games and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the next Olympics.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be fully ready," the athlete confirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
Alongside her Games aspirations, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four overall crystal globes she has won over a career spanning two decades.
She presently enjoys a substantial lead at the top of the overall downhill standings and is sitting in fifth place in the overall super-G standings.
This current World Cup campaign includes a total of nine races taking place before the season finals in Norway on March 21st, 2026.
