Lindsey Vonn comeback tournament: All about 40-year-old's return to alpine skiing circuit after overturning retirement

By Abhiruchi Rout

Modified Nov 14, 2024 14:29 GMT

Lindsey Vonn has announced a major career update as she is coming out of retirement and aims to make a comeback on the alpine skiing circuit for the 2024-2025 season. With this, she will be returning to competitions after five years, having last competed at the World Championships in Åre, Sweden, on February 10, 2019.

The American is renowned as a three-time Winter Olympic medalist, including a gold in downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Games. Additionally, the 40-year-old has won multiple medals on the World Cup circuit, with 82 race victories. During a press release by U.S. Ski & Snowboard, she gave the career update and rejoined the U.S. Ski Team.

Lindsey Vonn also announced that she will be making her comeback at the women's World Cup races, scheduled in Beaver Creek on December 14 and 15, as revealed in an interview with New York Times.

Shortly after announcing her comeback, Vonn posted on Instagram, writing:

“Well, it’s off to Colorado…. I hope the @usskiteam uniform still fits… 😉”

Just moments later, Lucas Braathen and Nina O'Brien were among the skiers who expressed their excitement about Vonn's return in the post’s comments.

Notably, Vonn had considered coming out of retirement after undergoing knee replacement surgery in April of this year as the procedure was intended to provide long-term benefits.

How did Lindsey Vonn perform at her last international tournament?

Lindsey Vonn from the USA poses after the race with the medals of her career. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa (Photo by Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images)

In February 2019, Lindsey Vonn announced her retirement due to the multiple surgeries and injuries that had taken a toll on her body. She also expressed how difficult it was for her to compete at the highest level because of the limitations, which made it challenging for her to make turns while skiing.

In a post via Facebook, she wrote:

“The unfortunate reality is my mind and body are not on the same page. After many sleepless nights, I have finally accepted that I cannot continue ski racing… I have never wanted the storyline of my career to be about injuries and because of that I decided not to tell anyone that I underwent surgery this past spring.”

She added:

“A large portion of cartilage that had delaminated from my bone was removed..Despite extensive therapy, training and a knee brace, I am not able make the turns necessary to compete the way I know I can. My body is broken beyond repair and it isn't letting me have the final season I dreamed of. My body is screaming at me to STOP and it’s time for me to listen.”

At the World Championships in Sweden, her final competition, she won a bronze in the women’s downhill in a time of 1:02.23, behind Ilka Štuhec (1:01.74) and Corinne Suter (1:01.97).