At 41 years old, alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has officially qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy, marking an extraordinary return to the global stage after a six-year retirement.
Vonn, who last competed at the Olympics in 2018, announced her qualification on December 23, 2025, following a series of standout performances on the World Cup circuit.
In an emotional Instagram post, the three-time Olympic medalist expressed profound gratitude and fulfillment, calling the upcoming Games her “fifth and final Olympics.”
“I am honored to be able to represent my country one more time,” Vonn wrote. “Although I can’t guarantee any outcomes, I can guarantee that I will give my absolute best every time I kick out of the starting gate. No matter how these games end up, I feel like I’ve already won.”729881,7f6ae4
Vonn’s path back to Olympic eligibility has been nothing short of remarkable. She retired in 2019 due to persistent injuries, including knee issues that required surgery. Her comeback began in November 2024, fueled in part by a partial knee replacement and a deep personal connection to Cortina d’Ampezzo—the venue for the women’s speed events in 2026, where she has achieved several career milestones.
This season, Vonn has dominated the speed disciplines. Highlights include:
A victory in the downhill World Cup race in St. Moritz, Switzerland, on December 12, 2025—her first World Cup win in seven years.
A second-place finish the following day in another downhill event.
A third-place podium in the Super-G in Val d’Isère, France, on December 21.
These results propelled her to the top of the U.S. rankings in downhill and positioned her strongly in super-G, securing her spot on Team USA.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard praised Vonn’s resilience, with CEO Sophie Goldschmidt stating that her qualification is “a testament to her resilience and dedication, and the remarkable results she’s delivered on the World Cup this season.”
Vonn has often credited the iconic Cortina venue as a key motivator for her return, describing it as a place that “feels like home” due to past triumphs, including breaking records there.
As the Milano-Cortina Games approach in February 2026, Vonn’s story of perseverance continues to inspire, proving that her competitive fire burns as brightly as ever. Regardless of the results on the slopes, she has already achieved what many thought impossible—a triumphant return to the Olympic spotlight.
