Alpine skiing icon Lindsey Vonn, now 41, has been featured on the cover of Time magazine’s latest issue, released on October 27, 2025, as she gears up for the upcoming World Cup season and her ambitious bid for a medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
The three-time Olympic medalist, who captured gold in downhill at Vancouver 2010, retired in 2019 after a career marred by injuries. A successful knee replacement surgery, however, surpassed expectations and fueled her return to competitive skiing in November 2024. In the exclusive Time interview, Vonn reflects on her journey, emphasizing resilience inspired by her late mother, who battled a stroke and ALS.
“I am not a long shot,” Vonn asserts. “I am back in the game.”
Her comeback gained momentum in the 2024/25 season, culminating in a second-place finish in the Super G at Sun Valley, Idaho. Olympic gold and silver medalist Picabo Street, a staunch supporter, predicts success: “She’s going to win one of them, if not more. It’s not a matter of ‘if,’ it’s when.”
Overcoming Adversity and Embracing Age
Vonn credits her mother’s perseverance for her own ability to rebound from setbacks. Post-retirement, chronic knee pain persisted until surgery enabled a remarkable recovery. A key milestone was achieving a single-leg box jump, securing her surgeon’s clearance to compete.
Addressing skepticism about her return, Vonn clarifies: “I don’t need this. I’m doing it because I love it. It’s fun and it’s a challenge.” With 82 World Cup victories, eight World Championship medals, and three Olympic podiums, she views greatness beyond statistics: “It’s also the impact you have on sports and culture.”
Mental Fortitude and Olympic Ambitions
Preparing mentally, Vonn worked with a therapist to review past crashes, treating them like routine analyses to release subconscious fears. Described by her therapist as possessing “a superhuman ability to disassociate from pain,” Vonn likens her mindset to a goldfish’s short memory.
“I like it when the stakes are high,” she says, underscoring her self-imposed pressure. While satisfied with defying expectations, Vonn aims higher: “I don’t know how satisfied I would be if I walked away [from Milano Cortina 2026] with no medal… But I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Vonn must still qualify for her fifth Olympics. She returns to World Cup action in St. Moritz from December 12–14, 2025.
In a social media post celebrating the cover, Vonn dedicated it to her mother: “Mom, I’m on the cover of Time Magazine!”
Vonn’s story continues to inspire, blending athletic prowess with personal authenticity as she chases history on the slopes.
