Lindsey Vonn Has Blunt Message For Everyone After Big Performance
03/24/2025 03:19 PM
Lindsey Vonn had a major milestone in her skiing comeback over the weekend.
Vonn, 40, won silver in the super-G event at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho Sunday, finishing 1.29 seconds Switzerland's Lara Gut-Behrami, who took home gold. It was the first medal for Vonn since she announced her return to skiing last year after a five-year hiatus. It also marked Vonn's first World Cup podium since March 15, 2018.
Following the race, the three-time Olympic medalist made clear how much the performance meant to her.
"When I started this, no one thought that I would even get into the top 30. I haven't been racing World Cups for six years. I have a partial knee replacement. I'm 40 years old," Vonn said, via OutKick.
"Again, I always knew what was possible. But as much as I love skiing, it's been a hard road. I've been knocked down so many times in my life — personally, physically, mentally — and I always pick myself back up. It's not always easy. It is actually really f------ hard. But that's what it takes. Putting one foot in front of the other and getting through the hard days. And when you keep putting one foot in front of the other, it leads you to a place like today."
Vonn had previously finished 13th in the super-G in La Thuile, Italy earlier this month, a showing that left her encouraged going into the competition in Idaho.
"I didn't risk much today but it was a solid run, only .30 off of the podium, and I did exactly what I wanted to do. I improved my ranking and qualified for the World Cup Finals in both Downhill and Super-G!! Considering I never thought I would be here, I'm pretty happy with the regular season, and I still have two races left! Cannot wait to come back home to race in @sunvalley next weekend," Vonn wrote on Instagram last week.
The main goal for Vonn remains a return to the Olympics next year, which would be her fifth appearance in the Games.
"I will be at a disadvantage," Vonn told CBS News earlier this month. "I am 40, and at that time next year I will be 41. But I know my skiing is there. I think I'm actually skiing better now than I was last few years of my career."
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