The veteran skier underwent a surgical implant fitted to her right knee during her hiatus from competitive skiing.
Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "perfectly prepared" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, following claiming a top-three finish for the fourth time in five World Cup races.
The 41-year-old, who achieved a milestone by becoming the most senior racer to win a downhill World Cup winner, came in third place in the super-G in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This represented her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup podium finish.
Racing in the iconic venue for the first time in almost a decade, Vonn crossed the line in a time of one minute 20.60 seconds. She was 0.36 seconds behind victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson taking the runner-up spot.
"I didn't quite have the right line on the initial jump," Vonn remarked. "From that point on, I skied well. I'm pleased with my performance today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was not aggressive enough."
This result was her second podium at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also claimed bronze in the downhill race on Saturday.
Vonn officially retired in February 2019 due to persistent injuries. However, she staged a competitive comeback in December 2024 following a significant orthopedic procedure.
With less than two months remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are scheduled for 6-22 February, Vonn's form are timely.
She already possesses one gold and two bronze medals from previous Games and is firmly on track to compete for the United States at the 2026 Games.
"At the Olympics, I will be fully ready," the athlete confirmed.
In addition to her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also hoping to add to the four World Cup titles she has won over a professional journey spanning 20 years.
She presently enjoys a substantial lead at the summit of the overall downhill standings and is ranked fifth in the super-G World Cup table.
This current World Cup campaign includes a nine more events taking place before the circuit finale in Norway on March 21st, 2026.
Felix is a tech journalist with over a decade of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics, specializing in smartphones and smart home devices.