Lindsey Vonn Optimistic of Being 'perfectly positioned' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn underwent a artificial joint fitted to her right knee during her break from alpine racing.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "in a good place" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, on the back of claiming a place on the rostrum for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup races.
The veteran athlete, who achieved a milestone 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 one hundred and forty-second career World Cup top-three result.
Impressive Performance in Val d'Isere
Racing in the French Alps resort 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 taking the runner-up spot.
"I didn't quite have enough direction on the first jump," the skier commented. "Subsequently, I skied well. I'm satisfied with my run today, in contrast to 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 during the event, having also taken third in the downhill race on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Retirement
Vonn stepped away from competition in early 2019 due to ongoing knee problems. However, she made a stunning return in late 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.
With 47 days remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are scheduled for 6-22 February, Vonn's form are highly promising.
She boasts one gold and two Olympic bronze medals from previous Games and is strongly positioned to represent the United States at the 2026 Games.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be in a good place," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
In addition to her Games aspirations, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has won over a career spanning two decades.
She currently holds a substantial lead at the top of the downhill World Cup rankings and is sitting in fifth place in the super-G World Cup table.
This season's World Cup circuit includes a nine more events scheduled before the circuit finale in Kvitfjell, Norway on March 21st, 2026.
