The skiing legend Confident of Being 'perfectly positioned' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Vonn had a titanium prosthesis installed in her right knee throughout her hiatus from alpine racing.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "perfectly prepared" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, after earning a place on the rostrum for the fourth time in five World Cup events.
The 41-year-old, who achieved a milestone by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, took the bronze position in the super-G in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This was her 142nd career World Cup top-three result.
Impressive Performance in Val d'Isere
Returning to 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 just over a third of a second behind victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson taking second place.
"I was slightly lacking enough direction on the first jump," Vonn remarked. "From that point on, I performed strongly. I'm satisfied with my run today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was not aggressive enough."
This performance was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also claimed bronze 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 following a partial knee replacement.
With just over six weeks remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are set to run from 6-22 February, Vonn's form are timely.
She already possesses an Olympic gold and two bronze medals in her collection and is strongly positioned to represent the United States at the 2026 Games.
"At the Olympics, I will be where I need to be," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
Alongside her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has accumulated over a career spanning 20 years.
She currently holds a 69-point lead at the top of the overall downhill standings and is ranked fifth in the overall super-G standings.
This current World Cup circuit features a total of nine races taking place before the circuit finale in Kvitfjell, Norway on March 21st, 2026.
