The American champion Optimistic of Being 'perfectly positioned' for Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
The veteran skier had a surgical implant fitted to her right knee during her break from competitive skiing.
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn asserts she will be "in a good place" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, following claiming a place on the rostrum for the fourth time in five World Cup races.
The 41-year-old, who recently made history by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, took the bronze position in the super-G in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This marked her 142nd career World Cup top-three result.
Strong Return in the French Alps
Competing at the iconic venue for the first occasion 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 the runner-up spot.
"I didn't quite have the right line on the first jump," Vonn remarked. "After that, I skied well. I'm happy with my run today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was too conservative."
This performance was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also taken third in the downhill on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Injury
Vonn ended her career in early 2019 as a result of ongoing knee problems. However, she returned to racing in December 2024 following a partial knee replacement.
With just over six weeks remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are scheduled for February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's form are timely.
She has an Olympic gold and two bronze medals in her collection and is strongly positioned to represent the United States at the next Olympics.
"In Cortina, I will be in a good place," the athlete confirmed.
Chasing More Titles
In addition to her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four overall crystal globes she has won over a career spanning 20 years.
She presently enjoys a 69-point lead at the summit of the overall downhill standings and is sitting in fifth place in the super-G World Cup table.
This current World Cup campaign includes a total of nine races scheduled before the circuit finale in Norway on 21 March 2026.
