Lindsey Vonn shared that it will never be fully comprehensible to her fans or others what it has taken for her to reach her current position. Vonn returned to the competitive slopes six years after retirement, continuing her momentum as one of the best skiers in the world.
Vonn, at 41, has defied belief and made history as the oldest skier to win a World Cup race, triumphing in the St. Moritz downhill during the 2025-26 season.
Lindsey Vonn on the Sacrifices She Made En Route to Her Skiing Comeback
Vonn was the first US woman to win the downhill gold at the 2010 Olympics, and also the first skier to surpass Ingemar Stenmark’s Crystal Globe tally. The American skier faced multiple setbacks in her life, lost her biggest support system, her mother, Linda Krohn, and went through difficult times due to her injuries, which even forced her to retire in 2019.
She also underwent partial knee surgery two years ago, but none of it stopped her from chasing her goals. In a recent interview with 9News, the host asked whether Vonn would want people to understand the sacrifices behind the glamour and her success.
In response, the 84-time World Cup winner said she doesn’t think anyone can truly comprehend what has gone into her achievements or her ability to compete at 41. She also shared that the intense workout updates she posts are only a small part of the picture.
“I don’t know if anyone will ever really know how much sacrifice it’s taken for me to, to do half the things it’s taken me in my life. Especially in this comeback, but I do try to share those moments. I show a little bit of my working out, just a little bit, and everyone says how hard it looks. I’m like, you guys have no idea. That’s just a teeny tiny sliver of what I do. But I think in my last documentary, you saw me crying and me in the OR and all of these moments that were really personal, and it’s raw. That’s me,” she said. Vonn is headed to the 2026 Cortina Olympics, slated to start in February.
The Olympic gold medalist was a driving force in Tarvisio, Italy, where she achieved back-to-back podiums in speed events, an unusual feat for a skier of her age. She posted some memorable snaps from her successful campaign and thanked the venue for welcoming her after 15 years. Vonn also anticipated her next race in Crans Montana before gracing the Olympic slopes, the final nail to her storied career.
Vonn works extensively with her eponymous foundation, helping girls from underprivileged communities build confidence and pursue their goals. She also attends several fashion shows and even hosted the 25th edition of Laureus Sports Awards in 2025.
