Lindsey Vonn, 41, Makes Olympic Comeback with 7 Podiums

Lindsey Vonn is proving that comebacks can happen at any age, and she's doing it with jaw-dropping consistency.

The American ski legend, now 41, finished second in Sunday's super-G race in Tarvisio, Italy, marking her seventh podium finish in just eight races this season. That's not just impressive for someone who retired five years ago after a career riddled with injuries. It's unmatched by anyone on the World Cup circuit right now.

No other skier has earned more than three podiums in speed events this season. Vonn's "worst" finish? Fourth place.

She came just 0.27 seconds behind 22-year-old German winner Emma Aicher on Sunday, skiing through fog and difficult visibility that sent some competitors crashing. Even superstar Mikaela Shiffrin, with seven podiums across 14 technical races, hasn't shown Vonn's level of consistency.

The results position Vonn as a clear medal favorite in both downhill and super-G at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which open in less than three weeks. After the race, Vonn seemed unbothered by her silver medal finish. "I'm really happy to be on the podium again," she said. "I think I'll save the hundredths for Cortina."

Vonn retired in 2019 after battling chronic knee injuries, undergoing multiple surgeries, and cementing her legacy as one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time with 82 World Cup victories. Her return to competitive skiing at 41 wasn't guaranteed to work, but she's making it look almost easy.

Why This Inspires

Vonn's comeback challenges every assumption about aging in elite sports. She's competing against skiers young enough to be her daughters and beating them regularly. Her performance shows that with the right preparation, determination, and a bit of wisdom that comes with experience, age doesn't have to be a limitation.

Her consistency also offers a masterclass in patience. While younger skiers push too hard and crash or make mistakes, Vonn is skiing smart. She's finishing races, staying healthy, and letting the results speak for themselves.

With one more set of speed races scheduled before the Olympics, Vonn heads to Switzerland at the end of January with momentum, confidence, and a chance to add to her Olympic medal collection. At 41, she's not just participating. She's leading.