The American champion Confident of Being 'in a good place' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
The veteran skier had a artificial joint installed in her right knee throughout her time away from the sport.
Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "in an excellent position" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, on the back of securing a podium spot for the fourth time in her last five World Cup competitions.
The veteran athlete, who recently made history by becoming the most senior racer to win a downhill World Cup winner, finished third in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This marked her 142nd career World Cup top-three result.
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 0.36 seconds behind victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson securing second place.
"I didn't quite have the right line on the initial jump," Vonn said. "Subsequently, I performed strongly. I'm happy with my run today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was not aggressive enough."
This result was her second podium at Val d'Isere during the event, having also finished third in the downhill on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Injury
Vonn officially retired in February 2019 because of persistent injuries. 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 scheduled for February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She already possesses one gold and two bronze medals from previous Games and is firmly on track to compete for the United States at the 2026 Games.
"At the Olympics, I will be where I need to be," 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 69-point lead at the top of the downhill World Cup rankings and is sitting in fifth place in the overall super-G standings.
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.
