Lindsey Vonn was in a chatty mood. © ANSA / CLAUDIO THOMA

"I know exactly who said what about me."

Lindsey Vonn's journey to her dream destination, Cortina d'Ampezzo, begins in Switzerland. Eight weeks before the opening of the Winter Olympics in Italy, the former speed queen starts her final season in the Alpine Ski World Cup.

11 December 2025

From: apa/dl

All eyes will be on the 41-year-old American when she launches herself out of the starting gate on Friday (10:15 a.m.) for the first downhill race of the winter in St. Moritz. Part two of a remarkable comeback in many respects begins. Vonn wants to prove her critics wrong and hopes for a happy ending: another Olympic medal.

“Physically, I’m possibly in the best shape of my life,” Vonn announced in Switzerland. She said she had gained about six kilograms of muscle mass over the summer – after having been somewhat too thin and light during her previous comeback season, as she herself assessed. “That was hard work. I’ve never been so disciplined.”

Vonn feels like the “Terminator”

In some ways, she feels like the "Terminator," Vonn recently joked in "Sport Bild"—referring to her injury-plagued body and the partial titanium knee replacement she now uses. The 41-year-old said the partially reconstructed joint still causes her no pain. "I feel damn good for my age."

"Physically, I'm probably in the best shape of my life. I've never been so disciplined." Lindsey Vonn

Amidst a great stir, the four-time overall World Cup winner and 2010 Olympic downhill champion made her return to the big ski stage last season. Barely back after a nearly six-year hiatus, she sped to fourth place in the Super-G in St. Anton, Austria. This was followed by a mixed winter, including a disappointing World Championship in Saalbach-Hinterglemm and a spectacular finish with second place at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley. Vonn described it as a "rollercoaster ride."

Criticism as motivation

So now she's off again. And she wants to prove that her 82 World Cup victories could potentially be joined by a few more. A quick glance at the media reveals just how much influence the former dominant force in alpine speed disciplines still possesses. The famous Time-Magazine recently dedicated its cover story to her, as did the The Team published a major interview with Vonn. She has more than 2,5 million followers on Instagram – one million more than Mikaela Shiffrin, the exceptional American cyclist of our time.

Lindsey Vonn wants to prove her critics wrong. © ANSA / CLAUDIO THOMA

Vonn is a sports superstar. And she polarizes opinions. Quite a few experts and former ski greats criticized her for her World Cup return last year – sometimes using extremely harsh language. On the one hand, this was stressful, Vonn explained, but on the other hand, it was also a motivator. "I know exactly who said what about me," she reported. "That can completely destroy you. Or you can reframe it and use it as motivation. And that's exactly what I'm doing." It sounds like a declaration of war.

Collaboration with Svindal and the Olympic dream

And Vonn isn't fighting alone. Since the summer, former Norwegian ski star Aksel Lund Svindal has been part of her coaching staff. Some are already calling it "Project Lundsey." The sport has evolved during Vonn's long absence. The American reported, for example, that she tried out 20 to 30 pairs of ski boots last season without being satisfied with any of the new models. Finally, she dug out her old boots from the basement, "which were already covered in dust."

Lindsey Vonn is working with Aksel Lund Svindal. © ANSA / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT

The former downhill queen is now a year further along. Who better to adapt than her? The first comeback season was just the beginning, Vonn recently remarked. Now comes the continuation. And will there be a happy ending in February? Vonn has already won twelve World Cup races in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Now she wants to add Olympic gold to her collection in the Dolomites as the crowning achievement.