BEAVER CREEK, Colo. — Lindsey Vonn is approaching her return to competitive skiing with a cautious attitude, despite the allure of future milestones such as a potential fifth Olympic appearance. On Wednesday, the 40-year-old American skier focused on testing the Birds of Prey course as a forerunner for upcoming World Cup races. Her mind briefly drifts to the 2026 Winter Games, which will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, a venue that holds many fond memories for her.
“I would love to compete again on such a grand stage,” Vonn expressed regarding the possibility of racing in another Winter Olympics. “That said, I’m working hard to keep my focus on the present. Cortina is still quite far away, so I’m dialing back my expectations and focusing on each, day-to-day achievement.”
Vonn is making a notable comeback after being absent from the sport for nearly six years, and she recently underwent a partial knee replacement in April. On the forerunning day, she and two other athletes tested the challenging course before the main competitors took their turns during practice. Vonn is set to serve as a forerunner during the next two practice days and also in the scheduled downhill and super-G races over the weekend.
Recently, she acquired enough points at lower-level FIS events to compete in the World Cup, although she was unable to secure a start at Beaver Creek in time. After completing her forerunning duties on the course, Vonn provided feedback and suggestions to her American teammates on navigating the hill.
Being back in the start gate felt right to her. “It was incredibly normal to stand there,” Vonn said. “Everything just seemed to fit.” When asked about the experience of returning to forerunning duties— usually given to emerging racers— she didn’t find it unusual. “It seems to be a part of my journey. I would have preferred competing here, but I’m taking what I can get,” she noted.
Her fellow teammate, Bella Wright, echoed Vonn’s impressive return as she watched from a ski lift. “I heard the sound of skis and turned to find Lindsey tucking. I couldn’t help but think she looks as good as she ever has,” Wright remarked.
While Vonn appreciates her current form, she has not yet established a solid racing schedule. The next speed events are a pair of super-G competitions slated for December 21-22 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. “I felt great out there today, but I skied cautiously. I’ll decide on my future events soon, but not just yet,” Vonn stated.
Upon leaving the professional circuit, Vonn had notched 82 World Cup victories— a record for women at that time, and she was closing in on the all-time Alpine record set by Ingemar Stenmark at 86. Mikaela Shiffrin surpassed Vonn’s record in January 2023, now standing at an impressive 99 wins, the highest in Alpine ski history.
Vonn remains mindful of managing expectations during her recovery. “Patience is not something I excel at, but I’m working on it,” she admitted. “I understand that I won’t be claiming World Cup titles immediately. I know my capabilities and I feel I’m nearing a good place. I just hope everyone else can be as patient as I am, and maintain perspective, especially if I don’t win right out of the gate.”
With the 2026 Winter Games already on her mind, Cortina represents a significant chapter in Vonn’s skiing journey. She has claimed 12 World Cup victories there in downhill and super-G events and celebrated her first career podium in the same city back in 2004. It was also where she broke Annemarie Moser-Proell’s longstanding record of 62 World Cup wins across all disciplines in 2015.
“Retiring meant I wouldn’t get to race in Cortina for the Olympics, which truly saddened me,” Vonn reflected. “Cortina is extremely special to me.”
As for the test runs on the Birds of Prey course, Italian racer Federica Brignone clocked the fastest time at 1 minute, 34.13 seconds, while Swiss skier Lara Gut-Behrami followed closely behind, 0.39 seconds off the pace. “It was beautiful out there,” Gut-Behrami commented about the conditions. “Today’s slope was softer and more manageable, with the sunshine. However, race day is going to present much more difficult, faster, and challenging conditions.”