alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has officially qualified for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, marking an extraordinary return to the sport after retiring in 2019 due to persistent injuries. This will be her fifth Olympic appearance and what she has called her “final” one, culminating in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy—a venue she describes as uniquely special.

Vonn, who retired with 82 World Cup wins (then the women’s record, later surpassed by Mikaela Shiffrin), three Olympic medals (gold in 2010 downhill, bronzes in 2010 super-G and 2018 downhill), and a history of devastating knee injuries, announced her comeback in November 2024 following a partial knee replacement surgery earlier that year. The surgery restored mobility and strength, allowing her to train and compete at an elite level again

Her motivation was deeply tied to the Olympic venue: Cortina, where she earned her first World Cup podium, broke records, and secured multiple victories (12 World Cup wins there). “I don’t think I would have tried this comeback if the Olympics weren’t in Cortina,” she said earlier in the season. “It’s a very meaningful place to me—it feels like home.”

The 2025-26 World Cup season has been noShe followed with podium finishes in four of her first five races, including bronzes in Val d’Isère, France.
These results placed her at the top of the downhill standings and solidified her as the top American in both downhill and super-G.thing short of dominant for Vonn in speed events:
She kicked off with a downhill victory in St. Moritz, Switzerland, on December 12, 2025—her first World Cup win in nearly six years—making her the oldest skier ever to win a World Cup race (surpassing the previous women’s record by seven years).

She followed with podium finishes in four of her first five races, including bronzes in Val d’Isère, France.
These results placed her at the top of the downhill standings and solidified her as the top American in both downhill and super

On December 23, 2025, U.S. Ski & Snowboard confirmed her qualification based on these performances, earning her a spot in downhill (and likely super-G). She celebrated on Instagram: “I have officially qualified for the Olympics in Cortina!!! I am honored to represent my country one more time.”
Here are some powerful images capturing her comeback and recent races

Vonn’s story is one of resilience, defying age and injury with titanium knees and unwavering determination. As the Olympics approach (starting February 6, 2026, with women’s downhill on February 8), she’s positioned not just to compete, but potentially to medal again on her beloved Cortina slopes. “No matter how these games end up, I feel like I’ve already won,” she said.