Lindsey Vonn's remarkable return to elite skiing continues to build momentum, with the American veteran securing another podium finish in the women's World Cup downhill at Val d'Isère on Saturday. The 41-year-old took third place, marking her third top-three result in just four races this season.
A Podium Tinged With Frustration
Despite the impressive result, Vonn's reaction at the finish line was one of clear disappointment. A minor error on the lower section of the challenging Oreiller-Killy course cost her valuable time. Vonn estimated the mistake robbed her of roughly half a second, a margin that proved decisive in the tight race for victory.
"If you had asked me last year if I’d be happy with a podium, I would have said absolutely," Vonn admitted post-race. "But now I know I’m fast. When you make little mistakes, that’s the difference between winning and not." This shift in mindset highlights the soaring expectations surrounding her Olympic comeback campaign.
Huetter Claims Victory in Flat Light
The day belonged to Austria's Cornelia Huetter, who mastered the difficult, flat-light conditions to claim her first World Cup win of the season. The defending downhill crystal globe winner clocked a time of 1:41.54, reaching speeds of 126kph (78mph) on her way to a tenth career victory.
Germany's Kira Weidle-Winkelmann finished second, 0.26 seconds behind Huetter. Vonn crossed the line 0.35 seconds off the winning pace to complete the podium. Italy's Sofia Goggia, a favourite for the win, made a significant error to finish eighth.
Trajectory Pointing Towards Cortina 2026
The broader picture for Vonn remains overwhelmingly positive. This result extends her lead in the season-long World Cup downhill standings, where she now has 240 points. It also represents the 141st World Cup podium of her storied career, a stunning achievement for an athlete who returned from a near six-year retirement.
Since undergoing surgery to fit a titanium implant in her right knee, Vonn has rediscovered both her speed and competitive belief. Her comeback season, which already includes a victory in St. Moritz, is perfectly timing her peak for the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, which begin on 6 February 2026.
"I’m looking forward to recharging a bit," Vonn said, with the World Cup circuit pausing for the holidays. "I know I’ll be ready." The tour resumes in January with speed races in Altenmarkt, Austria, as the countdown to the Olympics intensifies.
