Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn announces she is coming out of retirement

On November 14, 2024By Littum

Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn announced Thursday that she is retiring.

In an interview with New York TimesVonn said she had no intention of returning to the sport, however, after being replaced
surgery on her right knee this year, she no longer had pain when she skied.

“I had a smile so wide it came through the back of my helmet,” Vonn said.

The 40-year-old plans to officially join the U.S. ski team this week and work toward racing on the World Cup circuit as early as December.

US Ski & Snowboard president and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt told The Associated Press she is happy to have Vonn back.

“We’re excited to have her back on snow and see where she can go from here,” she said.

As for expectations, the world champion skier said she doesn’t want to put herself in a position to fail, but she also gives herself some grace.

“Obviously I wouldn’t be doing this if I wasn’t hoping to race,” she said. “I have ambitions. I love to go fast. How fast can I go? I don’t know.”

Vonn last competed in 2019 – before withdrawing due to injuries. Her career includes more than 80 World Cup victories, one gold and two bronze Olympic medals.