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Lindsey Vonn has demonstrated that her skiing skills remain intact as she made a remarkable return to competitive skiing this weekend.
The esteemed Olympic gold medalist finished in second place during a World Cup super-G event on Sunday. This achievement comes six years following her retirement from the sport and just 11 months after undergoing a partial knee replacement.
The 40-year-old athlete has now become the oldest female Alpine ski racer to reach the podium, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career.
“It was incredibly challenging,” Vonn expressed after the race. “This is not an easy path. Yet, it felt amazing to prove that I can still compete at this level.”
Vonn appeared emotional after her performance, which was ultimately won by Swiss skier Lara Gut-Behrami.
“Age is merely a number,” Vonn asserted. “If you are feeling good and maintain a strong mental drive while working hard, you can achieve any goal you pursue.”
She revealed that motivation often comes from doubters and critics. “Sometimes the negative voices fuel my determination more than the positive ones,” Vonn remarked. “I channel that as energy to overcome numerous challenges I faced this year. I recognized that I could succeed.”
Upon finishing the race, Vonn felt a profound sense of relief. “It’s empowering to stand where I know I belong and to silence the many critics that have surrounded me all season,” she added. “It was truly a nice punctuation mark to place on this season.”
This past Friday, Vonn shared her aspirations to compete once again on the Olympic stage during the 2026 Olympics in Cortina, Italy.
“Participating in these Olympics is my primary goal,” she remarked in an interview with The Associated Press. “Cortina holds a special place in my heart, which makes it an exciting challenge ahead.”
Reflecting on her future after the Olympics, Vonn stated, “Once that is achieved, I plan to return to skiing through beautiful powder and enjoy activities like tennis while maintaining the lifestyle I’ve embraced for the past six years.”
Her last Olympic medal was during the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Throughout her career, Vonn has amassed an impressive total of 82 World Cup victories and three Olympic medals, which includes one gold and two bronze medals.
After her recent race, Vonn announced plans to take a few weeks off for rest before heading to Europe for further tests and training.
This report includes contributions from The Associated Press.
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Vonn’s journey from retirement back to the podium illustrates her relentless commitment to the sport. As she sets her sights on the next Olympic challenge, the skiing community continues to rally around one of its most celebrated athletes.
