Alpine skiing icon Lindsey Vonn, 41, has detailed her rigorous preparation for a highly anticipated return to competitive skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy. In an interview with TMZ Sports at Rockefeller Plaza on November 1, Vonn described her training as “intense” and “harder than ever,” emphasizing her commitment to concluding her illustrious career on her own terms.
Vonn, who retired in 2019 after a decorated career that includes 82 World Cup victories—the most by any female skier—and three Olympic medals, announced her comeback following knee replacement surgery in November 2024. Cleared by physicians to resume training in early 2025, she has since dedicated herself to a demanding six-day-a-week schedule. Each session lasts nearly five hours, incorporating strength training, balance exercises, extended cardio, on-snow practice, and recovery protocols.
“This will be my last go-around,” Vonn stated, highlighting her desire to compete at the highest level once more. “When I’m skiing, I feel alive. That’s why I’m coming back.” She plans to ease into races in early 2026, likely starting with events in Austria, before targeting the Olympics. Vonn expressed a strong affinity for Italy, where she has achieved notable successes, including in Cortina d’Ampezzo, and aims not merely to participate but to secure victory.
Despite a history of severe injuries, including multiple knee and leg surgeries, Vonn remains undeterred. Her legacy is already cemented, yet she insists she has unfinished business on the slopes. Beyond athletics, Vonn has diversified her pursuits with authorship of a motivational book, appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and engagements in fashion and media.
Fans and the skiing community eagerly await Vonn’s potential to etch another chapter in her storied career at the 2026 Games.
