American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn is continuing to embrace her remarkable comeback, describing the experience as pure joy as she returns to one of her most successful venues, Val d’Isère. Nearly a decade after her last appearance at the French resort, the four-time overall World Cup champion is back, chasing more than podium finishes and personal milestones.
Val d’Isère holds a special place in Vonn’s career. Between 2005 and 2017, she recorded seven victories at the iconic resort, establishing herself as one of the most dominant speed skiers in history. Now, eight years after her last race there, she is once again competing on familiar slopes, fueled by confidence, experience, and renewed physical strength.
The downhill event at Val d’Isère comes with a unique tradition that adds charm to the competition. Winners are famously awarded a live cow, a prize Vonn has embraced in the past. Her first cow came in 2005, a moment that raised eyebrows when she declined the cash alternative. Over the years, she collected four cows in total, and she is hopeful history might repeat itself this weekend.
Fresh off an extraordinary performance in St. Moritz, Vonn recently became the oldest skier to win a World Cup race at the age of 41. The victory marked her first since 2018 and her first since returning to competitive skiing after five years away from the sport. Her comeback has been made even more remarkable by the presence of titanium implants in her right knee, highlighting her resilience and determination.
Vonn followed her win with a second-place finish in downhill and a strong fourth-place result in super-G, capping off what she described as a solid and satisfying weekend. Speaking ahead of the Val d’Isère races, she emphasized how different this chapter feels compared to her previous retirement.
Unlike her final season before stepping away, which was plagued by pain and frustration, Vonn says her body now feels strong and responsive. Supported by an experienced team and racing without constant discomfort, she is rediscovering the joy that first drew her to the sport more than two decades ago.
Returning to familiar courses has also given her a competitive edge. Vonn’s deep knowledge of the Val d’Isère downhill allows her to prepare quickly and confidently, understanding exactly what it takes to succeed on the demanding track.
As the weekend unfolds with a downhill race followed by a super-G, Vonn finds herself leading the downhill standings while trailing Italy’s Sofia Goggia in super-G. Rather than feeling pressure, she welcomes the challenge, viewing strong competition as motivation to push herself further.
Whether or not another cow joins her list of prizes, Vonn’s comeback has already cemented itself as one of the most inspiring stories in recent World Cup skiing, proving that passion and perseverance can redefine what is possible, even late in a legendary career.
