Lindsey Vonn Wins Again at 41 with Titanium Knee

At 41 years old with a titanium knee replacement, Lindsey Vonn just proved she's still the fastest woman on skis.

The American legend won her second World Cup downhill race of the season Saturday in Austria, finishing more than a third of a second ahead of her closest competitor. She hit speeds of 81 mph on a shortened course that took less than 67 seconds to complete, one of the fastest speeds any woman will reach this season.

"It feels amazing," Vonn said after crossing the finish line with a determined fist pump. "I try to enjoy every single second I am out here because it is just so fun to go fast."

This wasn't just another win. Vonn's right knee has been rebuilt using titanium implants, and she's competing against racers half her age in one of the most physically demanding sports in the world.

With this victory, Vonn extended her own record as the oldest race winner in the 60-season history of the World Cup circuit. It's her 84th career win and her record-extending 45th in downhill events.

The US star later made a family video call alongside her coach, Olympic champion Aksel Lund Svindal. She competed against Olympic champions Sofia Goggia and Corinne Suter, finishing nearly a full second ahead of the defending Olympic champion.

Why This Inspires

Vonn's comeback challenges everything we think we know about age and athletic performance. Most downhill racers retire in their early 30s, when the physical toll becomes too great. She's competing a decade past that point with artificial parts in her knee.

Her teammate Jacqueline Wiles finished third, making it a double podium celebration for Team USA. "Being on the podium again with her is super special," Wiles said.

The win positions Vonn as a strong contender for gold at the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics in February. She won Olympic downhill gold in 2010 and bronze in 2018, and now she's chasing another medal with titanium in her knee.

Team USA showed incredible depth Saturday, placing five racers in the top 20. World champion Breezy Johnson finished seventh, while 21-year-old Allison Mollin posted a career-best 14th place finish.

Vonn now leads the season-long World Cup downhill standings by 129 points with five races remaining. She's chasing a ninth World Cup downhill season title, a full decade after her eighth.

"I knew what it was going to take to win today," she said. "It was a sprint and I had to give it everything I had, definitely had to risk a little bit."

Sometimes the greatest victories aren't just about crossing the finish line first, but about refusing to let anything hold you back.