Lindsey Vonn to Return to Skiing Nearly 6 Years After Retiring

Lindsey Vonn, the iconic Olympic gold medalist, is making headlines once again as she announces her astonishing return to skiing nearly six years after hanging up her competitive boots. At 40 years old, Vonn has taken everyone by surprise with this decision, having previously retired without any intent to return to the slopes. In a recent interview with The New York Times, she expressed her joy: “My career ended with no intention of coming back.” However, after undergoing knee replacement surgery just seven months ago, she ventured back onto the snow and was pleasantly surprised by the absence of pain. “I had a smile so wide it was coming through the back of my helmet,” Vonn remarked.

As excitement mounts, Vonn is set to rejoin the United States ski team this Friday, a development she describes as “amazing and definitely not planned.” Looking ahead, she hopes to hit the World Cup circuit soon, with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy on her radar. “I’m trying not to get too far ahead of myself because I have quite a few hoops to jump through,” she noted. Still, her competitive spirit shines through: “Obviously, I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t hope to be racing. I have aspirations. I love to go fast. How fast can I go? I don’t know.”

Since August, Vonn has completed 15 days of focused on-snow race training in Europe and New Zealand. This weekend, she will participate in training sessions at Copper Mountain in Colorado, concentrating on the super-G and downhill speed disciplines. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team celebrated her comeback, acknowledging her monumental impact on alpine skiing. “We’re delighted to welcome her back,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, the organization’s President and CEO, emphasizing Vonn’s inspiring dedication to the sport.

Vonn’s courage to return comes after a long history of injuries, leading her to opt for knee replacement surgery due to severe tri-compartment degeneration. She shared her decision on Instagram, discussing the extensive thought and consultations that led to her choice. Previously, Vonn had retired in February 2019, following a bronze medal performance at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Sweden. At that championship, she made history as the oldest woman to win a medal.

Reflecting on her past struggles, Vonn revealed the toll her injuries have taken. “The unfortunate reality is my mind and body are not on the same page,” she stated at the time of her retirement. “After many sleepless nights, I finally accepted that I cannot continue ski racing.”

Now, as she embarks on this unexpected journey back into the world of competitive skiing, fans and supporters are eager to see what she will achieve. Vonn’s story serves as a powerful reminder of resilience and passion, and for now, skiing fans everywhere are celebrating the return of a legend.