Lindsey Vonn is wasting no time shifting gears after a triumphant start to the season. The 41-year-old American skiing icon, fresh off a historic downhill victory and podium finishes in St. Moritz last weekend, is diving headfirst back into intensive training – signaling that her sights are firmly set on the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.
“Back to work 💪 Practice mode on – building toward something big 🔥,” Vonn recently shared, capturing the relentless drive that has defined her remarkable comeback.
Just days ago in St. Moritz, Vonn made history by becoming the oldest woman to win a World Cup race, storming to victory in the downhill on December 12 with a dominant performance that left the field nearly a second behind. She followed it up with a strong second place the next day and continued her momentum in super-G, proving her speed and aggression remain unmatched.
Much of the credit goes to her strengthened physique – Vonn revealed she gained 12 pounds of muscle over the offseason – and her elite coaching team, including longtime collaborator Chris Knight and new addition Aksel Lund Svindal, the Norwegian legend and two-time overall World Cup champion.
Svindal, who joined Vonn’s team this summer, has been instrumental in fine-tuning her equipment and technique. The pair, who dominated the sport in the same era before retiring in 2019, share a deep mutual respect and history of training together. “There are very few people I trust with line, technique, and equipment – Aksel is one of them,” Vonn has said.
Earlier this month, Vonn topped downhill training runs in St. Moritz, showcasing her form ahead of the speed opener. Now, with the holiday period approaching but the Olympic clock ticking, she’s embracing “practice mode” to refine every detail.
Vonn’s ultimate goal is clear: a fifth Olympic appearance and a medal in Cortina, the iconic Italian venue where she feels at home. With her titanium knee holding strong, added power, and a dream team behind her, the skiing world is watching closely as one of its greatest legends builds toward something truly big.
