The veteran skier underwent a artificial joint placed in her right knee throughout her hiatus from the sport.
Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn has declared she will be "perfectly prepared" for the upcoming Winter Olympics, after earning a podium spot for the fourth instance in her last five World Cup races.
The veteran athlete, who last week set a record by becoming the most senior racer to win a downhill World Cup winner, took the bronze position in the super-G in Val d'Isere on Sunday. This was her one hundred and forty-second career World Cup podium finish.
Returning to the French Alps resort for the first time in eight years, Vonn finished the course in a time of one minute 20.60 seconds. She was just over a third of a second behind victor Sofia Goggia of Italy, with New Zealand's Alice Robinson taking second place.
"I didn't quite have the right line on the initial jump," Vonn said. "Subsequently, I skied well. I'm satisfied with my skiing today, in contrast to in the super-G in St Moritz, where I was overly cautious."
This result was her second podium at Val d'Isere over the weekend, having also finished third in the downhill on Saturday.
Vonn stepped away from competition in early 2019 due to ongoing knee problems. However, she made a stunning return in December 2024 following a significant orthopedic procedure.
With less than two months remaining until the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which are scheduled for 6-22 February, Vonn's form are timely.
She already possesses an Olympic gold and two Olympic bronze medals from previous Games and is strongly positioned to represent the United States at the next Olympics.
"When we get to Cortina, I will be fully ready," Vonn affirmed.
Alongside her Olympic ambitions, Vonn is also aiming to increase the four World Cup titles she has secured over a professional journey spanning two decades.
She currently holds a 69-point lead at the top of the downhill World Cup rankings and is ranked fifth in the overall super-G standings.
This season's World Cup campaign includes a nine more events scheduled before the season finals in Norway on March 21st, 2026.
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