The American champion Assured of Being 'in a good place' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Vonn underwent a titanium prosthesis installed in her right knee during her break from alpine racing.
Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn asserts she will be "perfectly prepared" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, following earning a podium spot for the fourth time in five World Cup events.
The 41-year-old, who last week set a record by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, came in third place in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This represented her 142nd career World Cup podium finish.
Strong Return in the French Alps
Racing in the iconic venue for the first time in almost a decade, Vonn finished the course in a time of 1:20.60. She was just over a third of a second behind winner 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 said. "From that point on, I skied well. I'm satisfied 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 taken third in the downhill on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Injury
Vonn stepped away from competition in February 2019 because of persistent injuries. However, she staged a competitive comeback in December 2024 after a major knee surgery.
With 47 days remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are scheduled for February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's performances are timely.
She boasts an Olympic gold and two bronze medals from previous Games and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the next Olympics.
"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 World Cup titles she has accumulated over a professional journey spanning 20 years.
She currently holds a 69-point lead at the summit of the overall downhill standings and is ranked fifth in the overall super-G standings.
This season's World Cup campaign features a total of nine races scheduled before the season finals in Kvitfjell, Norway on 21 March 2026.
