Vonn Returns to the Spotlight: Time Magazine Cover Signals a New Chapter
In a move that underscores the ongoing power of her comeback, Lindsey Vonn graces the cover of Time magazine’s latest issue, released Monday, 27 October. The Olympic champion (Vancouver 2010) and three-time medalist isn’t merely making a fashion statement; she’s signaling a renewed push toward another Olympic gold as the Milano Cortina 2026 Games draw nearer.
The interview inside Time delves into a storied career, a 2019 retirement, and the painful knee issues that led to a life-changing knee replacement. Remarkably, the procedure exceeded expectations and paved the way for Vonn to return to competition at age 40—now 41. Her persistence embodies the resilience that has defined her career and resonates with athletes and fans alike as the sport looks to a new era in Alpine skiing.
Embracing Age, Mother’s Legacy, and a Clear Goal
Vonn opens up about aging in a sport that rewards both peak performance and mental toughness. She credits her late mother for instilling a resilience that continues to guide her. “One thing that my mom’s really given me is the ability to pick myself back up,” Vonn says, adding, “That’s what she did her whole life, and I’ll never stop doing that.” This lineage of grit threads through her legacy and her approach to the rigors of elite competition.
The Time profile chronicles a six-year retirement that wasn’t easy on the body. A knee replacement eventually became a turning point, yielding improvements that even surprised her surgeons. A milestone moment—completing a single-leg box jump—earned official clearance to return to racing, with Vonn announcing her comeback publicly in November 2024. The journey from recovery to rededication has been as much a mental battle as a physical one.
Motivation, Doubt, and the Drive to Medals
When asked about her motivations, Vonn offers a candid assessment: “I don’t need this. I’m doing it because I love it. It’s fun and it’s a challenge. And I think it means a lot to a lot of people.” She stresses that her return is not about desperation, but about chance—an opportunity to chase gold and to show others that dedication can defy expectations. With 82 World Cup titles and a host of medals, Vonn’s accomplishments are extraordinary, but she also reframes her GOAT status in terms of impact beyond wins: influencing how people view skiing and sport culture at large.
Stakes, Pressure, and the Path to Milano Cortina 2026
As the 2024/25 season closes, Vonn has already demonstrated form, finishing strongly with a second-place podium in Sun Valley, Idaho. Yet her primary objective remains clear: earning a medal at Milano Cortina 2026. She has learned to manage pressure with a mental toolkit that includes working with a therapist to reframe memories of injuries—yet she also adopts a pragmatic three-second memory approach, likening herself to a “goldfish” to stay focused on the next race.
Her therapist has described Vonn’s mental resilience as a “superhuman ability to disassociate from pain,” a trait she embraces as a competitive asset. The biggest challenge, she concedes, is self-imposed: the desire to maximize her potential at an event she has already reshaped through sheer perseverance. “I’ve already done more than anyone ever expected. I’ve already done the impossible,” she notes, underscoring a philosophy that blends confidence with humility.
What’s Next for Vonn and Alpine Skiing?
Vonn will return to World Cup competition in St. Moritz, Switzerland, from 12–14 December as the countdown toward Milano Cortina 2026 intensifies. Beyond medals, she seeks to redefine what it means to compete at the highest level in one of sport’s most demanding disciplines. Her return story—rich with setbacks, triumphs, and unwavering determination—offers a blueprint for athletes facing long arcs of recovery and reinvention.
As the ski world watches Vonn race toward a potential Olympic golds, one thing is clear: the stakes may be higher than ever, but her appetite for competition remains undiminished. “I like it when the stakes are high.”
