Lindsey Vonn Assured of Being 'perfectly positioned' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn had a surgical implant installed in her right knee during her break from the sport.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "perfectly prepared" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, after earning a top-three finish for the fourth instance in five World Cup competitions.
The veteran athlete, who recently made history by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, came in third place in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This was her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup top-three result.
Strong Return in Val d'Isere
Competing at the French Alps resort for the first time in almost a decade, Vonn finished the course in a time of one minute 20.60 seconds. She was just over a third of a second behind winner Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson taking the runner-up spot.
"I was slightly lacking enough direction on the first jump," Vonn remarked. "After that, I skied well. I'm happy with my run today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This performance was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere during the event, having also claimed bronze in the downhill on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Injury
Vonn ended her career in early 2019 because of ongoing knee problems. However, she made a stunning return in December 2024 after a major knee surgery.
With just over six weeks 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 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 in a good place," Vonn affirmed.
Chasing More Titles
Alongside her Games aspirations, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four overall crystal globes she has secured over a career spanning two decades.
She currently holds a 69-point lead at the top of the overall downhill standings and is sitting in fifth place in the super-G World Cup table.
This current World Cup campaign features a nine more events scheduled before the circuit finale in Norway on March 21st, 2026.
