Lindsey Vonn Qualifies for Olympics—Why Her Comeback Is Such a Big Deal
Lindsey Vonn is no stranger to dazzling the world with her talent on skis.
However, since her return to competitive ski racing last year, following a partial knee replacement, it seems Vonn's wow factor has increased even more. The 2024/25 winter season was only the beginning of Vonn's legendary comeback. When the public told her that returning to competition was dangerous or misguided, Vonn silenced them by taking a podium spot in super-G in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Now, Vonn has proved that her partially bionic knee is a force to be reckoned with, not questioned. Following two weeks of incredible racing in Europe, Vonn has officially secured her spot on Team USA for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
After a summer spent working on strength (which I know, having tried one of her workouts, and it almost killed me), Vonn started the 2025/26 season strong with her sights set on the possibility of qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina.
On December 12, 2025, Vonn took gold in St. Moritz in the first downhill race of the season, earning her 83rd World Cup win and becoming the oldest woman to win a World Cup race at 41 years of age. The following weekend, Vonn scored another podium spot with a third place finish in Val d'Isere. Over the course of five total races between St. Mortiz and Val d'Isere, Vonn podiumed a total of four times, including her downhill win. Her worst result of the weekend was a 4th-place spot.
Keep reading for more.
The 2026 POWDER Photo Annual is here! Look for a print copy on a newsstand near you, or click here to have a copy shipped directly to your front door.
Vonn's performances in St. Mortiz and Val d'Isere also placed her on top for downhill World Cup Standings, which ultimately led to her spot on Team USA. The national governing body's policy for athlete selection does allows for discretionary selections, which could have worked in Vonn's favor had she not placed as well.
However, Vonn told the New York Times that qualifying based on performance was important to her. "My skiing had to earn this spot, and I’m proud to have done that," she said in the article.
Vonn has said that she does plan to retire for good after this season. A career almost as full of injuries as World Cup wins has taken its toll on her body. With how successful her comeback has been so far, it wouldn't be altogether surprising if Vonn went back on this decision. However, there's something to be said for going out on a high note.
Some of Vonn's biggest competition, including fellow American racer Lauren Macuga, Swiss skier Lara Gut-Behrami, and Italian skier Federica Brignone, have all been sidelined with injury thus far this season. With this in mind, Vonn is poised to do well at the Winter Olympic Games and possibly take home a second Olympic gold medal to add to the shelf.