Lindsey Vonn is set to make her comeback to the professional skiing circuit at the age of 40 this weekend during the FIS Fall Festival taking place at Copper Mountain, Colorado. Vonn will take part in the Downhill event on Saturday followed by the Super-G on Sunday, as confirmed by Paul Kristofic, the head coach of the U.S. Ski Team.
This marks Vonn’s first official race since 2019 when she secured a bronze medal at the World Championships held in Sweden. Her participation in these lower-tier competitions in Colorado seems to be a strategic move aimed at regaining her status in the competitive World Cup skiing scene. Vonn, who was once regarded as one of the elite female skiers globally, has a rich medal history, including three Olympic medals—two bronzes and a gold. Up until 2023, she held the record for the most World Cup victories by a woman before being eclipsed by fellow American skier, Mikaela Shiffrin.
Vonn’s determination to return to the sport aligns her with other renowned athletes who have continued to compete long after typical retirement ages in sports.
For example, Tom Brady, the legendary NFL quarterback, amassed numerous records over a 20-year career with the New England Patriots followed by three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He led New England to an impressive nine Super Bowl appearances, winning six of them, and notably, at age 43, he concluded his career by winning another Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2021.
Another athlete setting records well into their later years is Serena Williams, often celebrated as one of the greatest tennis players ever. Williams has an astounding 23 Grand Slam titles to her name and nearly reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2021 at 39 years old. Her dominance in women’s tennis is evident as she reached four Grand Slam finals after giving birth to her first child, highlighting her remarkable career alongside her sister Venus, with whom she achieved a perfect 14-0 record in Grand Slam doubles finals.
In basketball, LeBron James is approaching his 40th birthday on December 30 and remains a dominant force in the NBA. He holds the title of the league’s all-time leading scorer and has secured four NBA championships, earning Finals MVP honors all four times, played across three different teams: the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Turning to golf, Phil Mickelson showcases his skill with 45 PGA Tour victories and six major championships to his credit. His triumph at the 2021 PGA Championship marked a historic moment, as he became the oldest major champion in tour history, winning the title just shy of his 51st birthday.
In baseball, Randy Johnson, standing at 6-foot-10, was initially known for both his speed and lack of control on the mound. Throughout his illustrious 22-year career, Johnson honed his craft, accomplishing the rare feat of pitching a perfect game at age 40 in 2004—the 17th in Major League Baseball history. He finished with 303 career wins and garnered five Cy Young Awards during his time, also achieving no-hitters in both leagues.
Lastly, Jaromir Jagr has made his mark in hockey, debuting in the NHL at 18 and continuing to play at age 52. He ranks second behind Wayne Gretzky for all-time points in the NHL and has played across nine different teams. Jagr is still active for the Kladno Knights in the Czech league, which is also the team he owns, marking an extraordinary 37 seasons in professional hockey.
