American alpine skier Lindsey Vonn is set to begin her 25/26 World Cup season soon, aiming to compete at the Milan Olympics next year in what will be her final Olympic appearance. After retiring from the sport in 2019, few expected the American to make her return five years later, and even fewer would have expected her to land a World Cup podium.
Now at 41, Vonn is seeking another Olympic medal to add to her resume. Her journey back began after knee replacement surgery in April 2024, culminating in her official comeback in December 2024.
What Message Did Lindsey Vonn Share Ahead of Winter Olympics?
Instead of starting her season at the giant slalom event in Sölden, Austria, on October 25, where her national teammate Mikaela Shiffrin began, Vonn focused on training at Copper Mountain. She also pursued her interests outside of skiing, such as her recent feature on the cover of TIME Magazine.
In a post on Instagram, Vonn shared a few training videos and discussed how she’s relaxing for a bit before gearing up for the season:
“Home for a few days… workout, unpack, workout, pack, snuggle Chance by the fire, watch the sunrise… soaking up these moments before I hit the road for the next 4 months….”
Looking ahead, Vonn is set to start her season in the downhill event at St. Moritz, Switzerland, on December 12. Reflecting on her World Cup return, her last race was at the finals in Sun Valley, Idaho, where she became the oldest female alpine skier to podium in a World Cup race, finishing second. Now, with the Olympics approaching, she hopes to maintain this high level of performance.
Vonn Reveals What Skiing Means To Her
Vonn burst onto the international scene with her first overall World Cup title in 2008, igniting a legendary run. She captured three more overall crowns and 16 discipline titles, cementing her legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
In an interview with Red Bull, her long-time sponsor, Vonn revealed what the sport means to her: “Everything. The mountains are my happy place, where I find and feel joy. I feel freer [there] – stronger, more present, like anything is possible. There’s nothing better than skiing, going fast, racing.” she said.
Vonn grew up in Burnsville, Minnesota, where she took up skiing at the age of two at the Buck Hill ski area in Burnsville. At the age of 12, she moved to Vail, Colorado, with her family to further her skiing career, a decision that clearly proved fruitful.