Lindsey Vonn is the living proof that health and willpower are in an eternal tug-of-war. With 82 World Cup wins under her belt, you’d think she’d be coasting by now, but nope! She’s had to fight through a mountain of injuries, surgeries, and enough comebacks to make a superhero jealous. After retiring, she’s back in action, eyeing Milan-Cortina 2026, but from the get-go, it looks like an arduous path. The 40-year-old has a lot to deal with, even though she has a new lease on life, thanks to her knee surgery last year.

Lara Gut-Behrami, Federica Brignone, and Sofia Goggia are ready to give her a run for her money in the Women’s Super-G at her ninth World Championships in Saalbach. Vonn shared a health update on Instagram that has all Lindsey Vonn and alpine skiing fans shaking their heads—can the woman ever catch a break? Just a few minutes ago, she posted a story on Instagram with watery eyes, looking like the flu bug has got the better of her. There she was, using a nebulizer, and the caption? “Current state… could be better.” Well, yeah, Lindsey, we can’t argue with that!

But here’s the real question: will she be ready for the upcoming events on February 5th? We would like to believe she will be. After all, this champion skier is unparalleled in her determination and overcoming all hurdles to make a comeback. Vonn returned to ski at the Beaver Creek World Cup in Colorado just eight months after her knee surgery in 2024. So she tends to push herself to the very limits.

Lindsey Vonn eyes a historic return to the Olympics

Lindsey Vonn’s decision to retire in 2019 was a tough one. She admitted her body was “broken beyond repair” after years of injuries, and stepping away from the slopes felt like the only choice for her health. But, after a knee replacement and a lot of recovery, she’s back in action. Since December, she’s been hitting the World Cup circuit in downhill and Super-G, and now, at 40, she’s got her sights set on the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics. As Lindsey said, “I’ve always loved a challenge. My journey back to competitive skiing has been driven by my love of the sport, going fast, and the exhilaration that drew me to the slopes.” But what about her journey?

Vonn’s career is legendary—she snagged gold in the 2010 Winter Olympics and claimed 82 World Cup victories. But following multiple injuries, she knew it was time to walk away. “It was devastating to leave the sport I loved so much, but I knew it was the only choice for my health,” she recalled. After getting her knee replaced, she figured she’d stay active and enjoy life in new ways, but never thought it would lead her back to competitive skiing. As her new knee started to feel better than she expected, Vonn thought, ‘Why not give it a go again?’

With the go-ahead from her medical team, she decided to return, keeping her expectations low but her joy high. “Each step forward has pleasantly surprised me, and most importantly I am having fun,” she said. Cortina holds a special place in her heart. It was where she first realized her potential. So, coming back to ski there for the 2026 Games means a lot to her. She’s also excited to see the Olympics set a new record for female participation. “I look forward to seeing Milan-Cortina 2026 as an anticipated highest-ever female participation at a Winter Games,” she said. Vonn believes the Games will inspire a whole new generation of athletes. We do hope it does!