Lindsey Vonn Sun Valley: GEPA pictures
SUN VALLEY, Idaho — Lindsey Vonn wrapped up her first season back on the World Cup circuit with a podium finish — and a clear mission for what comes next.
In Sunday’s super-G at the Stifel Sun Valley World Cup Finals, the 40-year-old American raced to second place. It was her first podium since unretiring and a strong statement that she’s still one of the fastest in the world.
The comeback wasn’t about chasing numbers. It was about seeing what was possible — and now, Vonn is focused on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Only Missed Beaver Creek
Vonn returned to racing in mid-December after missing just the opening World Cup speed races in Beaver Creek. She didn’t yet have enough points to qualify for those events but spent the weekend testing the course as a forerunner.
From then on, she competed in every remaining downhill and super-G of the season, steadily rebuilding rhythm and speed after nearly six years away from the circuit.
She finished the year ranked 19th in the downhill standings and 13th in super-G — strong results that now serve as a launching point for her Olympic push.
Cortina on Her Mind
Since announcing her comeback, Vonn has been clear: her goal is one last Olympic downhill — and she wants it to happen in Cortina.
The venue has been kind to her. She’s won 12 World Cup races there, split evenly between downhill and super-G. She knows every turn of that course and often visualizes it when falling asleep.
“Cortina is one of my favorite places in the world,” Vonn said. “That Olympic downhill is what’s been driving me.”
She plans to retire again after the Games — unless she’s in the fight for a season title. In that case, she says she’ll consider staying on a little longer.
A Stronger Vonn
Last April, Vonn underwent a partial knee replacement — a decision that changed everything. After years of pain and post-retirement limitations, she returned this season able to train, race, and recover normally.
“I haven’t iced my knee once all season,” she said. “That alone feels like a miracle.”
Her performances followed. She placed fourth in a super-G in St. Anton and then broke onto the podium in Sun Valley, showing she can still compete at the top level.
Still Chasing Speed
Vonn retired in 2019 with 82 World Cup victories, the second most by any female skier behind Mikaela Shiffrin’s 100. She’s also third on the all-time list across both genders, trailing only Shiffrin and Sweden’s Ingemar Stenmark, who won 86. Vonn earned wins in all five disciplines: 43 in downhill, 28 in super-G, 4 in giant slalom, 2 in slalom, and 5 in combined.
Now, with her body finally healthy and her love for speed intact, she’s hoping to add to that total.
“I don’t need to win again to feel satisfied,” she said. “But I love the sport. I love racing. I love going fast — and that part hasn’t changed.”
No Offseason
Instead of surgery or long recovery breaks, Vonn plans just two weeks off before heading back to Europe. There, she’ll continue ski and boot testing, carefully documenting every setup and snow condition.
She’s treating her comeback like a multi-season campaign — this year to rebuild, next year to challenge.
U.S. women’s speed coach Alex Hoedlmoser believes she’s right on track.
“She’s already very fast again,” he said. “With a full offseason, she’ll be even better next year.”
With her comeback season now complete — and capped by a podium — Vonn is one step closer to her ultimate goal. Cortina 2026 is on the horizon. And based on what she’s shown this winter, she’ll arrive there ready.
Reporting information from the Associated Press was used in this story.
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