The American champion Confident of Being 'in prime form' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn underwent a artificial joint installed in her right knee throughout her time away from alpine racing.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "in a good place" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, on the back of earning a podium spot for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup events.
The 41-year-old, who recently made history 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 podium finish.
Impressive Performance in the French Alps
Competing at the French Alps resort for the first time in almost a decade, Vonn crossed the line 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 second place.
"I was slightly lacking the right line on the initial jump," Vonn remarked. "Subsequently, I performed strongly. I'm happy with my skiing today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was too conservative."
This result was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere during the event, having also claimed bronze in the downhill race on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Injury
Vonn officially retired in February 2019 due to ongoing knee problems. However, she returned to racing in December 2024 following a significant orthopedic procedure.
With just over six weeks remaining until the 2026 Winter Games, which are set to run from 6-22 February, Vonn's form are highly promising.
She boasts an Olympic gold and two Olympic bronze medals in her collection and is firmly on track to represent 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 aiming to increase the four overall crystal globes she has secured over a professional journey spanning two decades.
She presently enjoys a 69-point lead at the summit of the downhill World Cup rankings and is sitting in fifth place in the super-G World Cup table.
This season's World Cup campaign features a total of nine races scheduled before the season finals in Kvitfjell, Norway on 21 March 2026.
