Legendary alpine skier Lindsey Vonn continues to defy the odds at 41, securing a stunning victory in the FIS World Cup downhill in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The triumph marked her second podium finish of the year, making her the oldest woman in history to achieve back-to-back World Cup podiums in a single season.
In a candid interview with BBC Sport following her win, Vonn shared the personal struggles and mindset that powered her remarkable return to the top of the sport after years plagued by injuries.
“This comeback was unexpected,” Vonn admitted. “But I hope it inspires people to believe in themselves. I’m proving a lot of people wrong and shifting what everyone thinks is possible at an older age.”
The three-time Olympic medalist credited her partial knee replacement surgery as the key factor enabling her comeback. “The only reason I’m able to do this is because I got a partial knee replacement,” she explained. “Racing in Cortina has always been a big motivation for me — like a carrot dangling in front of me — and it pushed me to make this return.”
Vonn’s road back began earlier this year when she earned a second-place finish at a World Cup event in Sun Valley, Idaho, in March 2025 — already a historic milestone as the oldest female skier to reach the podium.
Now, the American star has her sights set on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, scheduled for February 6–22. Cortina holds special significance for Vonn, serving as extra inspiration for her comeback.
Vonn first competed at the Olympics in 2002 as a teenager. Her breakthrough came in 2010 in Vancouver, where she claimed downhill gold and Super-G bronze. After missing the 2014 Sochi Games due to injury, she returned in 2018 in PyeongChang to win downhill bronze before initially retiring.
In November 2024, following successful partial knee replacement surgery, Vonn announced her decision to un-retire and race again — a move that has already delivered extraordinary results.
With her latest victory, Lindsey Vonn is not only rewriting record books but also sending a powerful message: age and past injuries don’t have to define what’s possible.
