In an exclusive interview with CNN Sports, American skier Lindsey Vonn expressed that she has not only silenced her critics but also reaffirmed to herself that she belongs on the World Cup circuit once again. This comes after her remarkable return to the podium for the first time since retiring.
At 40, Vonn secured second place in the super-G at the World Cup finals in March, making her the oldest woman to podium in a World Cup Alpine skiing race surpassing the previous record by six years. This marked her first top-three finish since March 15, 2018, when she placed third in the same event in Åre, Sweden.
Though Vonn stepped away from competitive skiing in 2019, she made headlines last year by announcing a comeback following a successful partial knee replacement surgery in April 2024. She admitted that even she hadn’t imagined a return to elite-level racing.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be back,” she said at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid. “Last time we spoke, I was retiring it felt final. I wish it hadn’t been, because skiing has always been my greatest passion, but my body had given out. Now, thanks to the surgery, I’ve been given another shot and possibly another Olympic Games next year.”
Returning to the podium, Vonn said, was a turning point. She confessed to having doubts throughout a grueling season. She was 20 pounds lighter than her previous racing weight, lacked her former strength, and had to adjust to new coaches, gear, and routines.
She said the obstacles often felt overwhelming, and standing on the podium again was vital to restoring her confidence. “It changed everything,” she told CNN. “A lot of people thought I’d never come back, or if I did, I wouldn’t be competitive. I proved them wrong and I proved it to myself. Even at 41, I belong here.”
Vonn described breaking into tears after the race, calling it the most emotional finish of her career. “It meant everything to me. I’m putting that podium moment right next to my Olympic medal, it’s that significant.”
Reflecting on the season, she noted how difficult it was to stay motivated with so many setbacks, but her love for skiing kept her going. Even after years away, she said, the feeling of racing remained unchanged. Her deep knowledge of the sport helped her stay competitive against younger, physically stronger athletes.
At first, Vonn wasn’t trying to prove anything. But as criticism from fellow athletes mounted, she became determined to represent women in their 40s. “It hurt to hear those comments,” she said. “But I realized I needed to show that age doesn’t define us our determination and hard work do.”
“For me, skiing has always been pure joy,” she added. “From the moment I started racing at seven, it’s been the one thing that makes me feel most alive.”
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