Lindsey Vonn Defies Age with Remarkable Comeback: From Retirement to World Cup Podium at 40

A Historic Return to the Slopes

Lindsey Vonn has made a remarkable return to competitive skiing after six years away from the sport, following her initial retirement due to injuries to her left leg in 2018.

After undergoing total knee replacement surgery, Vonn announced her comeback in November 2024, expressing excitement about rejoining the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and sharing her knowledge with fellow athletes.

Recent Achievements and Challenges

In a stunning achievement, Vonn secured her first World Cup podium in seven years with a second-place finish in the super-G at the season finals in Sun Valley, Idaho, on March 23, 2025. This performance was particularly meaningful as it came after a season where critics questioned her ability, citing her age and suggesting she wasn’t competitive enough anymore. As Vonn stated, “I think I proved everyone wrong.”

Olympic Aspirations

Having announced her return to alpine skiing racing in 2024, Vonn has set her sights on completing the ‘second chapter’ of her storied career at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. While acknowledging she’ll be at a disadvantage at age 41 during the Olympics, Vonn remains confident, noting that she believes she’s “skiing better now than I was last few years of my career.”

Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Others

Vonn’s comeback represents more than just personal achievement. She’s working to change perspectives about aging athletes, particularly women. “It’s about changing perspectives and setting a new standard for what it means to be older and an athlete, especially if you’re a woman,” Vonn explains. She’s challenging societal norms and helping to shift cultural views on age in sports.

Her legacy already includes numerous records, including the most World Cup victories by any skier in both downhill and super-G events, with 82 World Cup wins placing her among the most successful ski racers of all time.