Lindsey Vonn, at the age of 41, is gearing up for a potential return to the Olympics, stating that she feels she has already accomplished so much that she has “nothing to prove.” The decorated American skier, who has excelled in various disciplines, expressed confidence in her decision to come out of retirement, emphasizing that she is not concerned about diminishing her legacy.
Following a partial knee replacement in the spring of 2024, Vonn is eyeing a comeback to competitive skiing, with a focus on competing in Cortina, a location that holds special significance for her career. She views the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina Games as an ideal opportunity to cap off her skiing journey.
Vonn’s training plans include sessions at Copper Mountain in Colorado in November and races scheduled in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in December. She aims to participate in the downhill, super-G, and team combined events, contingent on her performance. Despite acknowledging her age relative to her teammates and competitors, Vonn remains driven to excel and is determined to qualify for the Olympics.
Emphasizing her physical and mental readiness, Vonn highlighted improvements in her fitness and a newfound sense of freedom post-knee replacement surgery. She credits better nutrition and a pain-free knee for enabling her to train effectively. Mentally, Vonn’s perspective has evolved over the years, with a focus on personal expectations rather than external pressures.
While Vonn’s father perceives the upcoming challenge as immensely pressurizing, Vonn herself maintains a calm and confident demeanor, expressing a high level of self-criticism and determination to surpass her own standards.