The skiing legend Optimistic of Being 'in a good place' for the upcoming Winter Olympics
Vonn underwent a artificial joint installed in her right knee throughout her hiatus from alpine racing.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn states she will be "in an excellent position" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, following earning a place on the rostrum for the fourth instance in five World Cup competitions.
The veteran athlete, who recently made history by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, took the bronze position in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This marked her 142nd career World Cup top-three result.
Impressive Performance in the French Alps
Competing at the French Alps resort 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 victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson taking second place.
"I didn't quite have enough direction on the first jump," Vonn said. "After that, I skied well. I'm satisfied with my skiing today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This performance was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere during the event, having also claimed bronze in the downhill race on Saturday.
A Remarkable Comeback from Injury
Vonn stepped away from competition in early 2019 due to ongoing knee problems. However, she returned to racing in late 2024 after a partial knee replacement.
With just over six weeks remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are set to run from February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She already possesses 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.
"In Cortina, I will be in a good place," Vonn affirmed.
Aiming for Further Glory
In addition to her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four World Cup titles she has accumulated over a career spanning two decades.
She currently holds a substantial lead at the summit of the downhill World Cup rankings and is ranked fifth in the overall super-G standings.
This season's World Cup circuit includes a nine more events scheduled before the circuit finale in Kvitfjell, Norway on 21 March 2026.
