American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn is back on the slopes and sharing a glimpse of the incredible physical transformation that has her ready for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
At 41, Vonn is gearing up for her sixth Olympic appearance, more than seven years after her last Olympic run in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018.
Since returning to competition in 2024 after a three-year hiatus, she has been focused on rebuilding her body and mindset to match the demands of elite racing once again.
A Comeback Built on Strength and Discipline
Speaking ahead of her first race of the season in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Vonn admitted she’s never felt stronger.
“Physically, I’m in possibly the best shape I’ve ever been in,” she said.
“And my body doesn’t hurt, so that’s the best part of all.”
After feeling lighter than ideal in her 2024-25 comeback season, Vonn dedicated the summer to gaining strength.
Through disciplined training and careful attention to diet, she added about 12 pounds of muscle, returning closer to the physique she maintained during her prime competitive years.
“My goal was to get a lot stronger this summer,” she explained.
“I put everything I had into being as physically prepared as possible.”
Highlights from a Triumphant Season
Vonn’s determination paid off during the 2025 season.
Her standout moment came in March at Sun Valley, Idaho, where she captured silver in the Super-G at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals.
“It’s been a rough season of people saying that I can’t, that I’m too old, that I’m not good enough anymore,” she said at the time.
“I think I proved everyone wrong.”
The medal was a clear sign that Vonn remains a force on the World Cup circuit despite her age and time away from competition.
Road to Cortina d’Ampezzo
With the Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, set for February 8, Vonn now faces five upcoming World Cup “speed weekends” to qualify for her sixth Games.
She will race at St. Moritz, Val d’Isere in France, Zauchensee in Austria, Tarvisio in Italy, and return to Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
Vonn is no stranger to these slopes, having won World Cup races on every piste she will compete on this season.
Her focus will be on three Olympic events: the new team combined, the Super-G, and the downhill—where she won gold in Vancouver 2010 and bronze in Pyeongchang 2018.
Qualification and Goals
Vonn can secure her Olympic spot through several routes, but the simplest path is finishing in the top-30 of the World Cup points standings in any of her chosen disciplines.
She is confident in her preparation and eager to add another chapter to her illustrious career.
With a combination of experience, fitness, and sheer determination, Vonn is ready to tackle the challenges of the season and prove that age is just a number on the road to Cortina.
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