Lindsey Vonn's Inspiring Comeback at 41 in Cortina Olympics

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Lindsey Vonn, the celebrated American skier, is stunningly returning to the Olympic stage at 41 years old, participating in the Milan-Cortina Games. As a former downhill gold medalist, she is challenging age and expectations alike with this remarkable comeback.

Vonn's Olympic adventure began in Salt Lake City in 2002, where she placed sixth in the combined at just 17, racing under her maiden name Kildow. Her World Cup debut was marked in December 2004.

During the Torino 2006 Olympics, Vonn faced adversity when she crashed in downhill training, spending a night in the hospital. Nonetheless, she managed to finish eighth in downhill, seventh in super-G, and 14th in slalom.

Her pivotal moment arrived at the 2010 Vancouver Games, where she secured gold in downhill and bronze in super-G, marking a historic victory for the USA. Challenges in slalom and giant slalom resulted in several 'did not finishes' (DNFs).

Injured during the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Vonn returned at Pyeongchang 2018, earning a bronze in downhill and placing joint-sixth in super-G, announcing it as her last Olympics.

Vonn retired after the 2019 World Championships and opted out of Beijing 2022, holding a record as the oldest female racer to win a medal at 34 and having won at six different World Championships.

Post-retirement, she has made an incredible comeback, clinching two World Cup downhill races and amassing 12 career victories at Cortina (six in downhill, six in super-G).

While fellow teammate Mikaela Shiffrin has surpassed her World Cup wins with 108, Vonn's experience and fierce determination position her as a formidable contender in Milan-Cortina.

Vonn's return to the Olympics stands out as one of the most motivating comebacks in sports, showcasing that age does not limit one's capacity for greatness.