Vonn Returns to the Forefront on Time’s Cover
Lindsey Vonn is back in the global spotlight as she graces the cover of Time magazine, a milestone spotlighting her remarkable alpine skiing comeback ahead of Milano Cortina 2026. The Olympic champion, who dominated the sport with 82 World Cup titles, eight World Championship medals, and three Olympic medals, has publicly reaffirmed that she is “back in the game” and ready to chase more Olympic glory at the age of 41.
In the expansive Time interview, Vonn reflects on her storied career, her 2019 retirement, and the life-changing knee replacement that surpassed all expectations. The procedure enabled a return to racing at a level she hadn’t anticipated, marking a bold second chapter in a careerlong narrative of resilience.
From Setbacks to a Second Act
Vonn’s journey wasn’t linear. A six-year retirement was punctuated by mounting knee pain and a difficult decision to pursue surgery. The knee replacement became a turning point, gradually restoring the confidence she once had on the slope. She recalls the breakthrough moment when she achieved a single-leg box jump, a feat that earned her surgeon’s blessing to return to competition and ultimately led to her November 2024 public announcement that she would compete again.
“Every day…it was becoming more and more clear that this was different,” she says, underscoring that the decision to return wasn’t about obligation but passion and purpose. Her comeback has drawn both cheers and skepticism, questions she openly addresses in Time, clarifying that competing is a choice born from love of the sport rather than a need for validation.
Mother’s Legacy and a Mindset for Triumph
A central thread in the interview is the influence of Vonn’s late mother, who battled mobility issues after a stroke and later ALS. Vonn credits her mother with modeling resilience and the power to “pick myself back up”—a philosophy she carries into every race. She says with quiet certainty, “That’s what she did her whole life, and I’ll never stop doing that.”
Vonn’s mental approach has also become a defining feature of her comeback. She describes working with a therapist to rewatch her worst accidents, a technique designed to release painful memories from her subconscious. The result, she explains, is a mindset she likens to the resolve of a goldfish with a short memory—three seconds to reset and refocus after a crash or setback.
GOAT Talk, Stakes, and Milano Cortina 2026
On the greatest-of-all-time debate, Vonn offers a nuanced take. She argues that impact extends beyond tallying wins to shaping sport and culture. She emphasizes authenticity—she aims to be more than a ski racer, to “enjoy the mountain and to be myself.” The GOAT label, she implies, is earned through influence as much as through medals.
Looking toward Milano Cortina 2026, she remains clear-eyed about her path. Her immediate goal is a medal, with the broader aim of contributing to a season that proves her continued capability on the world stage. Vonn isn’t chasing hype; she’s pursuing high-stakes competition because she thrives under pressure and because the pursuit itself remains deeply meaningful to her and to fans who’ve followed her for years.
What’s Next and Why It Matters
Vonn will re-enter World Cup competition in St. Moritz, Switzerland, from December 12–14. The world will watch as she tests the boundaries of what’s possible at 40-plus, continuing to redefine what athletes can achieve after a late-career renaissance. For Milano Cortina 2026, the stakes are undeniably high—and Vonn’s response to them is unmistakable: she likes it when the stakes are high.
As she continues this unlikely comeback, Vonn’s narrative remains a touchstone for athletes facing aging, injury, and doubt: resilience, reinvention, and the unwavering belief that the mountain still has plenty to offer.
