Lindsey Vonn just shattered the limits of alpine skiing. At 41 years old, the American legend returned to the slopes to claim a World Cup victory, proving that resilience can defy time. Her historic comeback following retirement and surgery caught the attention of the entire sports world, including a tribute from NBA superstar LeBron James.
What Did LeBron James Say About Lindsey Vonn?
Vonn is now the oldest alpine skier in history to win a World Cup race. She is also the only American woman to have ever won an Olympic gold medal in the downhill discipline. Despite undergoing partial knee replacement surgery last year, she defied the odds to return to the top of her career.
James recognized this achievement by sharing an appreciation post on Instagram, celebrating the alpine ski racer. In his Instagram story, he praised Vonn for her determination and hard work. He shared a picture of the Olympic gold medalist with a clear message: “ABSOLUTE MONSTER!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS @lindseyvonn 👏👏👏 40+ is the new 20 🤣. Well, until you wake up the next day! 🥴”
Vonn similarly shared a collage of herself next to James, with the caption, “41. Built different.”
READ MORE: ‘Most Meaningful Win of My Career’ — Lindsey Vonn Pens Emotional Message After World Cup Triumph
Following her retirement in 2019, Vonn underwent multiple surgeries, particularly on a knee that had troubled her for years. Yet, she refused to let that stop her. Instead, she dedicated herself to rigorous rehab and training, ultimately returning to the World Cup circuit stronger than ever.
Meanwhile, at 40 years old, James continues to defy expectations in his own arena. Despite the physical demands of basketball, he remains one of the league’s top players and is the oldest player ever to score 40+ points in a game.
Why Is Lindsey Vonn Willing to Risk Everything?
In October, Vonn shed light on the mindset she adopted to become as successful as she is, especially in the downhill discipline. She explained that the sport requires a unique psychological approach.
“Being a downhiller, you have to have a certain mentality, and to be a really good downhiller takes something different, and maybe that’s why I’m a little bit crazy, but I’m accepting of that. I’m willing to risk everything. That’s why I’ve won as many times as I have in downhill,” she said.
Vonn recently secured her 44th win in downhill, marking her 83rd career World Cup victory. She won by 0.98 seconds, marking her first World Cup victory since 2018 in Sweden.
