At 41 years old, alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn continued her extraordinary comeback story by claiming her 84th FIS Alpine Ski World Cup victory in the women’s downhill race on Saturday. The American speed queen secured her second downhill win of the 2025/26 season on a shortened, snowy course, solidifying her position as a top favorite for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, just one month away.
Vonn, starting from bib No. 6, navigated the tricky, overcast conditions and heavy snowfall masterfully, posting a time of 1:06.24 to edge out Norway’s Kajsa Vickhoff Lie by 0.37 seconds. Her U.S. teammate Jacqueline Wiles rounded out the podium in third place, 0.48 seconds behind, marking the first time since 2018 that two American women shared a World Cup downhill podium.
The race was impacted by adverse weather, with Friday’s training session canceled and the course shortened due to excessive snow accumulation. A 25-minute delay occurred after an unfortunate crash involving Austrian skier Magdalena Egger, who suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Despite the challenges, Vonn’s experience shone through. She executed a precise line, taking calculated risks to maintain speed on the flatter sections where newer snow favored early starters.
Reflecting on the day, Vonn shared her excitement in a heartfelt post:
“What a life! Disappointed we couldn’t race today but leaving with a win and a podium with my teammate is an incredible feeling. It’s a week to remember!! Now it’s back to work and more races next weekend 💪🏻”
This victory extends Vonn’s dominance in the downhill discipline, where she now holds a commanding lead in the standings with 340 points. It also marks her fourth podium in four downhill races this season, underscoring her remarkable form following a partial knee replacement and return from retirement.
The result was especially emotional for Vonn, who celebrated joyfully as Wiles joined her on the podium — a moment reminiscent of their shared success in Cortina back in 2018. Vonn has a storied history at the upcoming Olympic venue in Cortina d’Ampezzo, where she has secured multiple World Cup wins.
With the Olympics on the horizon, Vonn’s performance sends a clear message: the four-time Olympic medalist (including downhill gold in Vancouver 2010) remains a force to be reckoned with. She is targeting strong showings in the remaining races, including Sunday’s super-G, as she builds momentum toward her fifth — and self-described final — Olympic appearance.
The U.S. Ski Team had a strong overall showing, with five athletes in the top 20, highlighting the depth and rising strength of American speed skiing.
As Vonn gears up for more action next weekend, her fans and competitors alike are watching closely. In her words, it’s all about embracing the thrill: skiing fast, pushing limits, and savoring every moment in what could be her triumphant farewell season.
