Lindsey Vonn is making a triumphant return to the Olympic slopes, her passion for skiing reignited after a four-year hiatus. The 41-year-old skier has officially secured her spot for the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, thanks to her back-to-back bronze medals in the Super G tournament and a string of victories that have etched her name in history. For Lindsey, who retired from professional skiing in 2019 due to a series of knee injuries, this comeback is nothing short of magical.
"I have officially qualified for the Olympics in Cortina!!! @teamusa," she announced on Instagram alongside a picture of herself posing in her Team USA uniform and skis. "I am honored to be able to represent my country one more time, in my 5th and final Olympics! When I made the decision to return to ski racing, I always had one eye on Cortina because it’s a place that is very, very special to me."
Although she can't guarantee any specific outcome, Lindsey is certain of one thing: "I will give my absolute best every time I hit the starting gate. No matter how these games end up, I feel like I’ve already won. I am grateful for how the season has gone so far, but I am just getting started. See you in Cortina!!"
Lindsey's accomplishment was celebrated by her fellow Olympians, with Gus Kentworthy writing in the comments, "Never had a doubt! Congrats!!!," while Kara Winger added, "Yesssssss how incredible, I feel such peace for you, and even more fire!!!!!!!!!".
Team USA also shared the news on their official Instagram account, writing, "She is SO back @lindseyvonn is officially headed to her 5th Olympic Winter Games." The athlete secured her spot after a series of successful races in the World Cup in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and Val d’Isere, France, where she appeared on the podium four times. After her win at the downhill competition on Dec. 12—where she skied a .98—she became the oldest skier to win a World Cup race.
"I’m definitely very excited with how things are going," she told The Atlantic in an interview published Dec. 23. "It’s been a pretty great couple weeks." While her spot in the Olympic games was almost assured due to past performances, Lindsey wanted to earn it on her own terms. "It was very important to me that I qualified based on my performance and results this season," she said. "My skiing had to earn this spot, and I’m proud to have done that."
Lindsey previously shared that 2025 was the perfect time for her comeback after undergoing surgeries to repair her knees. "I have a new knee and I’m finally healthy again," she told E! News in May. "This time around is different because I’ve been retired for five years."
