Lindsey Vonn is widely considered one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time. At 41 years old, she has made an impressive return to competitive skiing. After retiring in 2019 due to repeated injuries, Vonn’s comeback following a partial knee replacement has raised attention and made her one of the most talked-about athletes of the 2025–2026 ski season. Known for her speed, determination, and record-breaking career, Vonn has left a lasting impact on the sport of skiing and on women’s athletics as a whole.
Vonn began skiing at just two years old and quickly rose through the ranks, making her World Cup debut at age 16. Throughout her career, she won 82 World Cup races, the most by any female skier in history, and earned four overall World Cup titles in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012. She also represented the United States in multiple Olympic Games, winning a gold medal in downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Despite her success, Vonn’s career was plagued with challenges and numerous injuries, including knee surgeries and fractures, that forced her to miss seasons and eventually led to her retirement. However, her resilience became one of her defining traits. Vonn often repeatedly pushed through pain and adversity, inspiring athletes around the world.
Since retiring, Vonn has remained active in the public eye. She has advocated for mental health awareness and used her platform to support young athletes, especially girls pursuing competitive sports. She has also been open about the pressures of athletics, helping to normalize conversations about mental and physical well-being.
In an interview this January with People Magazine, she said, “My body was so different, I didn’t have any pain at all; my knee didn’t swell. I felt like I could do anything. The thought of ski racing again, something I loved to do so much, but without pain, was really exciting.”
Since rejoining the U.S. Ski Team, Vonn has made history. She won back-to-back World Cup downhill races in St. Moritz in December 2025 and Zauchensee in January 2026, becoming the oldest woman ever to win a World Cup race. She also placed second in the Super-G race in Tarvisio, Italy, earning her seventh podium finish of the season. Vonn currently sits second in the Super-G standings and fourth overall.
Lindsey Vonn is currently sitting out a World Cup super-G race after crashing and injuring her left knee and rupturing her ACL during a downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on January 30th, just one week before the Winter Olympics. Although she was airlifted for medical attention after the crash and her injury is still being evaluated, her coach said she is not racing but continues to prepare for the Olympics as planned. Vonn is still a strong medal contender after winning two World Cup races this season and leading the downhill standings, making her status uncertain but not yet ruling the Olympics out of the picture.
Lindsey Vonn’s influence goes far beyond her medals and records. Her determination, honesty, and leadership have made her a role model both on and off the slopes. As one of the most accomplished athletes in U.S. history, her legacy continues to inspire future generations to chase their goals, no matter how steep the path may be.
