Lindsey Vonn, a retired Olympic gold medalist skier, has surprised the world by announcing her return to the slopes at the age of 40. After undergoing knee replacement surgery seven months ago, Vonn began skiing again and was shocked to find that she was able to do so without pain. She expressed her joy at being back on the slopes and will rejoin the United States ski team, with hopes of competing in the World Cup circuit in the coming months and potentially aiming for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Despite her previous retirement announcement and the long history of injuries that led to her decision to step away from the sport, Vonn’s miraculous return has been met with optimism and excitement. She has logged significant training time on the slopes in Europe and New Zealand over the past few months and will be participating in the U.S. ski team’s training sessions at Colorado’s Copper Mountain. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team has welcomed her return, praising her dedication and passion towards alpine skiing, and expressing excitement to see her progress from here.
As a three-time Olympic medalist and former world champion, Vonn has had an illustrious career in skiing. Her last competition was in February 2019 at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Sweden, where she won a bronze medal in the women’s downhill race and became the oldest woman to win a world championship medal at the age of 34. Vonn cited her long history of injuries as the reason for announcing her retirement prior to the event, stating that her mind and body were no longer in sync, and she could not continue ski racing due to the toll it had taken on her physically and mentally.
Vonn’s unexpected return to the sport has received widespread acclaim and admiration from the skiing community and fans around the world. Her determination to overcome injuries and setbacks to return to competitive skiing has inspired many and reignited her passion for speed and competition. With the 2026 Winter Olympics on the horizon, Vonn’s comeback story is one of resilience, dedication, and the unwavering spirit of a champion.
Looking ahead, Vonn is focused on taking one step at a time, not getting ahead of herself, and enjoying the opportunity to race again. She acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead but remains hopeful and determined to push herself to new heights in the sport she loves. With her return to the slopes, Vonn’s story serves as a reminder of the power of perseverance, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring legacy of a true ski racing legend.
