“….Who’d driven from Minnesota to Colorado, 18 hours each way, so I could ski… who’d spent the next 25 years surrendering whatever she had left for the good of my career.” Lindsey Vonn wrote those words in her memoir, Rise: My Story. Her words were a tribute to her late mother, Linda Krohn, who gave everything so her daughter could chase greatness. The woman who made impossible sacrifices, driving 18 hours each way from Minnesota to Colorado just so her daughter could ski, surrendering every ounce of energy for Vonn’s career. Even as ALS stripped her strength, she remained a symbol of resilience. One year after her diagnosis, she passed away in 2022. But Lindsey still finds her around!

Fast forward to this weekend at Idaho, six years since retiring, eleven months since knee surgery, forty years old—Vonn stood on the podium once more. She had raced the World Cup Super-G, where she finished second behind Lara Gut-Behrami. She proved she still belonged. But as the cheers roared, emotions surged. It wasn’t just about skiing. This weekend, something far deeper made it unforgettable! Here is the catch: it had her mother’s presence as well! But how, you may wonder?

Lindsey Vonn took to Instagram today with words that held more than just the weight of a race—they carried the weight of a lifetime. This wasn’t just another podium. This was personal as it overlapped with her late mother Linda Krohn’s 73rd birthday. “ Reflecting on what I achieved this weekend on a day that would have been my Mother’s 73rd birthday When I stood in the starting gate Sunday a sliver of sunshine came out and blanketed the first few gates of the course… if only for a second… I knew my Mom was with me. I knew it was my time to risk it all in front of so many American fans, including my father and brother.”

Vonn became the oldest female Alpine ski racer to reach a World Cup podium, surpassing the previous record by six years. But the cheers weren’t just for the record. They were for the journey. “The tears that flowed after I finished were a mix of relief, pride, joy, and a feeling of great appreciation for this crazy journey I have embarked on.”

A journey that nearly ended forever. Her knee—once shattered—was rebuilt. In April 2024, she underwent a knee replacement in which a part of her knee was replaced with titanium pieces. “It’s been only 11 months since I had a partial knee replacement, only 3 months since returning to racing but after this podium I’m looking forward… it’s only 11 months until the Olympics in Cortina, Italy.”

The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are now less than a year away as the tournament starts in February 2026. Could Vonn return to the Olympic stage again? “I will continue to believe in myself, work hard, and do my best to put myself in a position to succeed next year. After this weekend though, I guess all the haters know what I’ve known all along… this 40-year-old woman STILL HAS IT!! Never stop believing 💪🏻” But this weekend wasn’t just about proving herself. It was about something greater. “This is for you Mom!! Happy birthday. I love you ❤️.”

She once dedicated her U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame induction to her mother, saying, “She’s taught me so much about strength and character, and it’s because of the example that my mother set that I was able to overcome whatever obstacle was thrown at me. Thank you, Mom.” Now, on the slopes, she honored her mother’s memory once more—with a podium, a message, and a dream that isn’t over yet.

But what about the race? What actually went down on the weekend?

Lindsey Vonn becomes the oldest skier to clench a medal at World Cups

Lindsey Vonn, at 40 years old, stormed down the super-G course at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho, proving that time and injuries haven’t dulled her edge. Vonn delivered a performance to be remembered at the Challenger course with precision and aggression. The result? Second place. A World Cup podium finish—her first since returning to racing. With a time of 1:13.64, she finished just 1.29 seconds behind Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami, who secured victory and the season-long super-G crystal globe.

“I finally put all the pieces together….this season there’s been glimpses of good skiing, but I always made a mistake here or there. But today it was enough to get on the podium,” said Vonn after her victorious run. The significance of this moment went beyond just a medal. Vonn became the oldest female Alpine skier to reach a World Cup podium, shattering the previous record by six years. A three-time Olympic medalist and an 82-time World Cup winner, she has nothing proven enough, yet she continues to push the limits.

As she stood at the finish line, the cheers erupted. Another milestone. Another chapter in a storied career!