Olympic champion skier, 40, ends retirement, returns to US team

On By Littum

An American ski legend is making a comeback.

Three-time Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn announced Thursday that she is retiring to rejoin the US Ski Team.

The 40-year-old won downhill gold and super-G bronze in Vancouver in 2010 and a bronze in downhill in Pyeongchang in 2018. She did not compete in Sochi in 2014 due to injury.

Vonn is also a four-time world champion, owning eight world championship medals.

“Getting back to skiing without pain has been an incredible journey,” Vonn said in a statement. “I look forward to being back with the Stifel US Ski Team and to continuing to share my knowledge of the sport with these incredible women.”

She also joked on X: “Well, it’s off to Colorado…. I hope the (ski team) uniform still fits.”

Vonn is one of the true icons of American skiing. Her 82 World Cup wins was a record until it was surpassed in January 2023 by American Mikaela Shiffrin, whose 97 wins are more than any alpine ski racer in the history of the sport.

Vonn’s last competition came in February 2019 after a string of injuries, including broken arms and legs, torn knee ligaments and concussions, slowed her career.

Vonn has been training in recent months, according to US Ski & Snowboard.

“Lindsey has left an indelible mark on alpine skiing and our organization throughout her career. We are delighted to welcome her back,” said President and CEO of US Ski & Snowboard Sophie Goldschmidt.

“Her dedication and passion for alpine skiing is inspiring, and we’re excited to have her back on snow and see where she can go from here.”

It is unknown which events or competitions Vonn intends to race in. The first downhill of the current World Cup season will be held in Beaver Creek, Colorado, in December.

US Ski & Snowboard president and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt said Vonn’s “dedication and passion for alpine skiing is inspiring, and we’re excited to have her back on the snow and see where she can go from here.”

The next Winter Olympics are in Italy in February 2026.

Women’s alpine skiing events will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo on the track where she holds the record with 12 winsaccording to the Associated Press.