Snow sports don’t come easy, do they? They demand more than medals or accolades—every race is a test, no matter how accomplished you are. Just ask Lindsey Vonn. With medals from three Olympic Games and a trophy case full of Alpine ski racing honors, she’s got nothing left to prove. Yet every time she steps onto the course, it feels like the first day all over again. And believe her—returning to that “office” at 40? It’s no small feat. The pressure’s been real since her first practice session this year. But if there’s one thing we know about Vonn, it’s that she’s not one to back down.

On December 5, Lindsey Vonn shared a snippet showing a glimpse of her descent. However, she put a thought-provoking line in the video: “For those of you asking about my arms, When I do this…” In the next video, she lifted the curtain from the suspense and showed a purple patch on her arm. It is the price of the sport with which Vonn has been trying to make amends. She put the caption, penning, “This happens.” Classic Vonn—embracing the gritty side of her sport like a champ.

The very next day, she was back at it, shaking off the dust and fine-tuning her game. With races lined up this weekend, Vonn’s been busy rediscovering her groove, from testing equipment to sharpening her skills. On December 6, she shared an update on Instagram, writing: “It’s been 6 years since I last raced so I still have a lot of equipment to test, finding my groove and really getting into racing form. I am having a lot of fun and want to keep on doing so!” Vonn’s excitement is contagious, and honestly, isn’t that what makes her such a force in Alpine ski racing?

Vonn’s fans surely remember their idol’s last competitive race in February 2019. It was her favorite downhill chapter in the world championships. On the penultimate day, she performed that way only. While skiing in Sweden, Lindsey was unconcerned about her painful right knee or bruised arms. She merely wanted to make the race memorable and end her incredible trip positively. Her third-place finish may have failed to satisfy each of her fans. On a cold February day in 2019, Lindsey Vonn exited the sport proudly. Despite her broken arms, torn legs, damaged ligaments, and concussions leading her to retire sooner than expected, she still smiled during her final race.

Folks, do you expect the four-time world champion to appear in the same color in Colorado this weekend? Lindsey, however, has looked firm in lowering her ranking. A low rank would pave her way to finding a place among the hopefuls for the World Cup races. Only some fireworks in the competitive races can help her to hit all targets. So, this weekend’s lower-tier FIS Downhill and super-G races at Copper Mountain are very important for her. Will she feel the pressure of the situation? 

Lindsey Vonn’s way of earning respect in her second inning 

In her second act, Lindsey Vonn is keeping things light—no baggage, no pressure. She’s not here to shoulder the weight of expectations; she’s here to take it one turn at a time. Her sights are set on a simple yet ambitious goal: a shot at the 2026 Olympics. And where does the journey start? The World Cup races. Speaking to The New York Times, Vonn reminded everyone, “I’m trying not to get too far ahead of myself because I have quite a few hoops to jump through.” She added, “But I’m not going to put myself in a position to fail. My goal is to enjoy this, and hopefully that road takes me to World Cup races.” Translation: she’s here to savor the ride, not just chase the finish line.

Her relaxed vibe is already boosting morale among her teammates. Keely Cashman, a fellow Team USA ski racer, put it best: “She’s still super fast. She’s been helpful in talking to us about whatever we need. We’re excited to have her around.” Even after six years away, Vonn hasn’t lost her edge—or her ability to inspire.

And let’s not forget Ted Ligety’s take. The two-time Olympic champ thinks Vonn’s comeback might shake up the circuit, saying, “From what I’ve heard, she’s been kicking (bu**) and been really fast in training. Some of the women on the World Cup are going to be rudely awakened to have to compete against a Lindsey Vonn again.” The skiing world better buckle up—the Lindsey Vonn storm is about to hit. Are you excited? Share with us in the comments below!