The veteran skier underwent a surgical implant placed in her right knee throughout her hiatus from alpine racing.
Alpine star Lindsey Vonn states she will be "in a good place" for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, on the back of earning a place on the rostrum for the fourth time in her last five World Cup competitions.
The veteran athlete, who recently made history by becoming the most senior racer to win a downhill World Cup winner, finished third in the super giant slalom in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This represented her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup podium finish.
Returning to the iconic venue for the first time in eight years, Vonn crossed the line in a time of 1:20.60. She was just over a third of a second behind victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson securing the runner-up spot.
"I didn't quite have the right line on the first jump," Vonn remarked. "From that point on, I skied well. I'm satisfied with my run today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This performance was her second top-three finish at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also taken third in the downhill race on Saturday.
Vonn officially retired in early 2019 because of ongoing knee problems. However, she made a stunning return in late 2024 following a significant orthopedic procedure.
With just over six weeks remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are set to run from February 6th to the 22nd, Vonn's performances are highly promising.
She has an Olympic gold and two Olympic bronze medals in her collection and is firmly on track to represent the United States at the next Olympics.
"In Cortina, I will be in a good place," the athlete confirmed.
In addition to her Games aspirations, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four overall crystal globes she has won over a professional journey spanning 20 years.
She currently holds a 69-point lead at the top of the downhill World Cup rankings and is sitting in fifth place in the overall super-G standings.
This season's World Cup campaign features a total of nine races scheduled before the circuit finale in Kvitfjell, Norway on March 21st, 2026.
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