Lindsey Vonn Optimistic of Being 'in a good place' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn underwent a titanium prosthesis placed in her right knee during her time away from alpine racing.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "in a good place" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, following earning a podium spot for the fourth time in her last five World Cup events.
The 41-year-old, who achieved a milestone 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 represented her 142nd career World Cup top-three result.
Impressive Performance in Val d'Isere
Competing at the iconic venue for the first occasion in eight years, Vonn finished the course in a time of 1:20.60. She was just over a third of a second 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 first jump," Vonn remarked. "From that point on, I performed strongly. I'm satisfied with my run today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This result was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere during the event, having also taken third in the downhill on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Retirement
Vonn stepped away from competition in early 2019 as a result of ongoing knee problems. However, she made a stunning return in December 2024 after a partial knee replacement.
With just over six weeks remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are scheduled for 6-22 February, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She has an Olympic gold and two Olympic bronze medals in her collection and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the next Olympics.
"At the Olympics, I will be in a good place," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
Alongside her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four overall crystal globes she has secured over a career spanning 20 years.
She currently holds a substantial lead at the top of the downhill World Cup rankings and is sitting in fifth place in the overall super-G standings.
This current World Cup circuit includes a total of nine races taking place before the season finals in Kvitfjell, Norway on 21 March 2026.
