American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has etched her name in alpine skiing history. The 40-year-old skier finished second in the Super-G race at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho, becoming the oldest woman ever make podium in a World Cup race. The achievement comes just 11 months after a partial knee replacement and six years after her initial retirement, silencing naysayers and further cementing her status as one of the all-time greats.

The Prelude: A Career Defined by Resilience
Lindsey’s journey back to the podium is a reflection of her unrelenting determination. The athlete retired in 2019 following a series of debilitating injuries, most notably to her left knee, which required at least nine surgeries over her career. However, in April 2024, Lindsey underwent a titanium knee replacement and, by November, she had returned to competitive skiing, fuelled by a desire to race painlessly and share her expertise with future generations of U.S. skiers.

Her comeback season was not smooth-sailing. Critics questioned whether her ability to compete at the elite level, citing her age and time spent away from the sport. Lindsey turned that skepticism into motivation. “Sometimes the negative voices, they drive me more than the positive ones—I use all that as fuel,” she told the press after her Sun Valley victory. “I knew that I could do it. When I crossed the finish line, there's a lot of relief to be where I know I can be and to silence so many negative voices that have just been surrounding me.”

The Main Event: A Record Breaking Race
The Sun Valley Super-G, held on the demanding Challenger course, showcased Lindsey in her prime as she clocked a time of 1:13.64—just 1.29 seconds behind Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami, who claimed first place, securing the season-long Super-G Crystal Globe. Italy’s Federica Brignone took third, 0.04 seconds behind Vonn, rounding out the fiercely competitive podium.

At 40, Lindsey shattered the previous record held by Austrian Alexandra Meissnitzer, who was 34 years old when she last podiumed in 2008. “Age is just a number,” Lindsey said post-race. “If you feel good, and you're mentally still driven and work hard, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”

The emotional weight of the moment was palpable as Lindsey crossed the finish line in tears, raising her ski poles in triumph. “It was joy, it was relief,” she later explained. “It was satisfaction in the fact that this adventure I set myself on is worth something.”

Looking Forward: The Road Ahead
Lindsey’s triumph at Sun Valley marked her first podium since 2018, and the 138th in her 15-year World Cup career. With 82 World Cup victories under her belt, she remains the second-most successful skier in World Cup history. Her accolades include four overall Crystal Globes, 20 World Cup titles, and three Olympic medals, including downhill gold in Vancouver 2010.

Lindsey has now set her sights on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, where she feels optimistic about her future. "Going to Cortana and knowing that I can perform when the pressure is high, I still have what it takes," she explained. "After today, I feel really optimistic about my chances.” After giving "every single last ounce of energy" in Sun Valley, she plans to rest briefly before heading to Europe to refine her equipment and prepare for the next chapter.

Beyond her personal triumph, Lindsey’s return proves that setbacks—whether physical, mental, or societal—does not mean the end of a story. “I’ve been knocked down so many times,” she said. “But I always pick myself back up. That’s what it takes—one foot in front of the other.”