The American champion Optimistic of Being 'perfectly positioned' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
The veteran skier had a artificial joint installed in her right knee throughout her hiatus from alpine racing.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn asserts she will be "in a good place" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, following claiming a top-three finish for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup events.
The veteran athlete, who recently made history by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, finished third in the super-G in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This was her 142nd career World Cup top-three result.
Impressive Performance in the French Alps
Competing at the iconic venue for the first occasion in eight years, Vonn crossed the line in a time of one minute 20.60 seconds. She was just over a third of a second behind winner Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson securing second place.
"I didn't quite have enough direction on the initial jump," Vonn said. "Subsequently, I performed strongly. I'm happy with my skiing today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was not aggressive enough."
This result was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere during the event, having also taken third in the downhill race on Saturday.
An Incredible Return from Retirement
Vonn stepped away from competition in February 2019 as a result of persistent injuries. However, she made a stunning return in late 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 form are highly promising.
She has one gold and two Olympic 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 Games aspirations, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has secured over a professional journey spanning two decades.
She currently holds 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 Norway on March 21st, 2026.
