Lindsey Vonn Confident of Being 'perfectly positioned' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Vonn had a artificial joint installed in her right knee throughout her time away from alpine racing.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "in a good place" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, after claiming a podium spot for the fourth instance in five World Cup competitions.
The veteran athlete, who last week set a record by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, finished third in the super-G in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This represented her 142nd career World Cup top-three result.
Strong Return in Val d'Isere
Competing at the iconic venue for the first time in eight years, 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 securing the runner-up spot.
"I was slightly lacking the right line on the initial jump," Vonn remarked. "Subsequently, I skied well. I'm happy with my performance today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was not aggressive enough."
This result was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also claimed bronze in the downhill on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Injury
Vonn ended her career in early 2019 as a result of ongoing knee problems. However, she staged a competitive comeback in late 2024 following a partial knee replacement.
With 47 days remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are set to run from February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's performances are timely.
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.
"In Cortina, I will be where I need to be," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
In addition to her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four overall crystal globes she has accumulated over a professional journey spanning two decades.
She currently holds a 69-point lead at the summit of the overall downhill standings and is sitting in fifth place in the overall super-G standings.
This current World Cup campaign features a total of nine races taking place before the season finals in Norway on 21 March 2026.
