Preparing for the Olympics with Svindal: Vonn's training regime revealed
In the world of Alpine skiing, the anticipation is palpable as a skiing legend prepares for a historic comeback. Lindsey Vonn, a four-time overall World Cup champion, is gearing up for the Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, aiming to wrap up her illustrious career on a high note.
Vonn's return to competition last winter marked a significant milestone, causing a stir in the ski community after almost six years away from the World Cup circuit. One of her most notable achievements during the 2024–25 season was a podium finish with a second place in the Super-G at the World Cup finals in Sun Valley, marking her first World Cup podium in over seven years.
However, Vonn's journey hasn't been without challenges. She faced the daunting task of overcoming serious injury and surgery, undergoing a total knee arthroplasty (knee replacement) in April 2024, a major surgical procedure for a ski racer. Amazingly, she returned to competition just six months later, pain-free and ready to compete.
Vonn also faced negativity and skepticism from some quarters of the ski community and media, including disrespect and doubt about her ability to compete at a high level at the age of 40. But she has remained undeterred, focusing on her love for the sport and her determination to succeed.
To enhance her chances during this comeback, Vonn enlisted the help of another ski legend, Aksel Lund Svindal, a former Norwegian ski racer. Svindal, 40 years old and a two-time Olympic gold medallist, will serve as a coach and equipment strategist, providing valuable insights and support. This collaboration is part of Vonn's strategy to push boundaries and prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Vonn and Svindal share a great friendship, built on mutual respect, and Vonn expressed her excitement about the journey ahead on Instagram. The new Alpine Ski World Cup season begins on October 25 and 26 in Austrian Solden, and ski fans worldwide are eager to witness Vonn's continued journey in the sport she loves.
As Vonn prepares for the Olympic season, it's clear that her determination, resilience, and focus remain undimmed. With a partial knee prosthesis and the support of a fellow legend, she is poised to make history once more.
[1] [Vonn, L. (2024). Lindsey Vonn's Comeback: A Journey Towards the 2026 Winter Olympics. Retrieved from https://www.lindseyvonn.com/news/lindsey-vonns-comeback-journey-towards-2026-winter-olympics]
[2] [World Cup Finals (2025). Lindsey Vonn Wins Second Place in Super-G at World Cup Finals. Retrieved from https://www.worldcupfinals.com/news/lindsey-vonn-wins-second-place-in-super-g-at-world-cup-finals]
[3] [Ski Racing (2024). Lindsey Vonn Faces Skepticism Ahead of Comeback Season. Retrieved from https://www.skiracing.com/news/lindsey-vonn-faces-skepticism-ahead-of-comeback-season]
[4] [CNN (2024). Lindsey Vonn: The Comeback of a Legend. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/sport/skiing/lindsey-vonn-comeback-of-a-legend]
[5] [BBC Sport (2024). Lindsey Vonn: Skepticism Surrounds Skiing Legend's Comeback. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/skiing/56082734]
Despite her age, Vonn continues to pursue her passion for sports, preparing for a historic comeback in Alpine skiing. Having enlisted the help of fellow ski legend Aksel Lund Svindal, her focus remains on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
