Lindsey Vonn, a decorated Alpine ski racer, has announced her return to competitive skiing at the age of 40. Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist, is making a comeback six years after her last appearance at the Olympics. Her illustrious career includes a downhill gold and super-G bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Games, as well as a bronze in the downhill at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. Vonn is also a four-time overall World Cup champion and has won eight world championships medals.
With 82 World Cup race victories, Vonn held the record for the most wins by a woman until January 2023 when American skier Mikaela Shiffrin surpassed her total and currently stands at 97 wins, the most in the history of Alpine skiing.
Vonn's decision to return to competitive skiing comes after a series of injuries that plagued her career, including broken arms and legs, torn knee ligaments, concussions, and a partial knee replacement surgery in April. Despite these challenges, Vonn expressed her joy at being able to ski without pain and her desire to share her knowledge with the current generation of American skiers.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard confirmed Vonn's return to the team, praising her dedication and passion for the sport. Vonn's immediate plans regarding specific races are yet to be disclosed, but her return to the team is effective immediately.
The upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy in February 2026 will provide Vonn with a platform to showcase her skills once again on the international stage. Her return has generated excitement within the skiing community, eager to witness her performance in the upcoming competitions.
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