Lindsey Vonn Optimistic of Being 'perfectly positioned' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn underwent a artificial joint installed in her right knee during her hiatus from alpine racing.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "in an excellent position" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, following claiming a top-three finish for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup races.
The veteran athlete, who achieved a milestone by becoming the most senior racer to win a downhill World Cup winner, finished third in the super-G in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This marked her 142nd career World Cup top-three result.
Strong Return in Val d'Isere
Racing in the iconic venue for the first occasion 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 taking second place.
"I was slightly lacking the right line on the initial jump," the skier commented. "After that, I performed strongly. I'm satisfied with my performance 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 over the weekend, having also finished third in the downhill race on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Injury
Vonn officially retired in February 2019 due to persistent injuries. However, she returned to racing in late 2024 after a partial knee replacement.
With less than two months remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are scheduled for 6-22 February, Vonn's form are timely.
She already possesses one gold and two Olympic bronze medals in her collection and is strongly positioned to compete for the United States at the 2026 Games.
"At the Olympics, I will be where I need to be," the athlete confirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
In addition to her Games aspirations, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four overall crystal globes she has secured over a career spanning two decades.
She presently enjoys a 69-point lead at the top of the overall downhill standings and is sitting in fifth place in the super-G World Cup table.
This season's World Cup circuit includes a nine more events scheduled before the season finals in Kvitfjell, Norway on March 21st, 2026.
