The American champion Optimistic of Being 'in prime form' for the upcoming Winter Olympics

Alpine star Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "perfectly prepared" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, after earning a podium spot for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup competitions.

The 41-year-old, who recently made history by becoming the most senior racer to win a downhill World Cup winner, finished third in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This was her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup top-three result.

Impressive Performance in Val d'Isere

Competing at the iconic venue for the first occasion in eight years, Vonn crossed the line in a time of one minute 20.60 seconds. She was 0.36 seconds behind winner Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson securing the runner-up spot.

"I was slightly lacking enough direction on the first jump," Vonn said. "After that, I skied well. I'm satisfied with my skiing today, unlike in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was not aggressive enough."

This performance was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also taken third in the downhill race on Saturday.

A Remarkable Comeback from Injury

Vonn officially retired in early 2019 because of persistent injuries. However, she returned to racing in December 2024 after a significant orthopedic procedure.

With just over six weeks remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are scheduled for 6-22 February, Vonn's performances are timely.

She boasts one gold and two Olympic bronze medals from previous Games and is strongly positioned to represent the United States at the next Olympics.

"At the Olympics, I will be where I need to be," Vonn affirmed.

Aiming for Further Glory

Alongside her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four overall crystal globes she has won over a professional journey spanning 20 years.

She currently holds a 69-point lead at the summit of the downhill World Cup rankings and is ranked fifth in the overall super-G standings.

This season's World Cup circuit features a nine more events scheduled before the season finals in Kvitfjell, Norway on March 21st, 2026.