The American champion Assured of Being 'in prime form' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
The veteran skier underwent a surgical implant placed in her right knee throughout her break from competitive skiing.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "in an excellent position" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, after securing a podium spot for the fourth time in five World Cup races.
The 41-year-old, who last week set a record by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, took the bronze position in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This represented 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 time in almost a decade, Vonn crossed the line in a time of 1:20.60. She was 0.36 seconds behind victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson taking second place.
"I was slightly lacking enough direction on the initial jump," Vonn remarked. "Subsequently, I skied well. I'm happy with my skiing today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was too conservative."
This performance was her second podium at Val d'Isere during the event, having also claimed bronze in the downhill on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Retirement
Vonn stepped away from competition in early 2019 due to ongoing knee problems. However, she returned to racing in late 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.
With 47 days remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are set to run from February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She has one gold and two bronze medals from previous Games and is firmly on track to compete for the United States at the 2026 Games.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be where I need to be," the athlete confirmed.
Chasing More Titles
In addition to her Games aspirations, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four World Cup titles she has won over a career spanning two decades.
She currently holds a 69-point lead at the top of the overall downhill standings and is ranked fifth in the super-G World Cup table.
This season's World Cup campaign includes a total of nine races scheduled before the season finals in Norway on March 21st, 2026.
