The American champion Assured of Being 'in a good place' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn had a titanium prosthesis installed in her right knee during her break from competitive skiing.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "perfectly prepared" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, following earning a top-three finish for the fourth instance in five World Cup events.
The veteran athlete, who last week set a record 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 the French Alps
Racing in the iconic venue for the first time in almost a decade, Vonn crossed the line in a time of one minute 20.60 seconds. She was 0.36 seconds behind winner Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson taking second place.
"I was slightly lacking the right line on the initial jump," Vonn remarked. "From that point on, I performed strongly. I'm happy with my performance today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This result was her second podium at Val d'Isere during the event, having also taken third in the downhill on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Injury
Vonn stepped away from competition in early 2019 as a result of ongoing knee problems. However, she returned to racing in late 2024 following a significant orthopedic procedure.
With less than two months remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are set to run from 6-22 February, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She already possesses an Olympic gold and two bronze medals in her collection and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the 2026 Games.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be fully ready," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
In addition to her Games aspirations, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four World Cup titles she has accumulated over a career spanning 20 years.
She currently holds a substantial lead at the top 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 circuit finale in Kvitfjell, Norway on March 21st, 2026.
