Note from the publisher: Lindsey Vonn is a former Olympic Alpine ski champion and eight-time World Cup downhill season champion. With lower than a yr as much as the Olympic Games in 2026, she writes about her return to sport on the age of 40 and her thoughts to finish her profession on the upcoming games. The women's competition there shall be in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, where Vonn won a record 12 times on the World Cup tour.
From Lindsey vonn
I all the time loved a challenge. My journey back to competitive skiing was driven by my love for sport, fast and amusement that pulled me to the slopes. Cortina, Italy, is a special place for me. Here I became clear for the primary time that my potential was to be won, and the mountains there all the time felt at home. Since the Olympic Games of the subsequent yr happen in Cortina and Milan, I’m looking forward to the possibility to participate within the Olympic Games again, and I’m excited that they’re somewhere somewhere that was so special for me.
My motivations today are exactly what they were after I was a baby: a deep love for skiing, speed and competition, precisely the things that made me fall in love with sport. Thanks to skiing, I used to be lucky enough to construct an incredible life, and although I had essentially the most amazing and rewarding time to construct my foundation and shops, there may be nothing with the enjoyment I feel after I am on the slopes.
The withdrawal from sport in 2019 was not a lot the selection. I had collected too many injuries, my body not worked together and my right knee was shot. It was devastating to go away the game that I loved a lot, but I knew that it was the one selection for the sake of my physical well -being.
Last yr I got my partial knee substitute in order that I could proceed to research, stay energetic, play tennis and follow all of the adventures that I had all the time introduced for myself, but I never thought it could bring me to the competition again. When I spotted how well my recent knee worked, I couldn't help but ask myself how far I could push it. I began this path with a comprehensive consideration and approval of my medical team. I got involved with little expectations, but with a lot joy, and each step forward surprised me – and above all I actually have fun.
Lindsey Vonn rasted last month in Cororna d'Ampezzo, Italy, in Cororna d'Ampezzo. She hopes to return for the 2026 Olympic Games in the subsequent February. (Mattia Radoni / Nurphoto about Getty Images)
Skir race stays a dangerous sport. Whether I’m in my 20s, my 30s or my 40s – and whether my knee is replaced or not – the danger is all the time there. Everyone who is prepared to indicate their skis downhill at 80 miles per hour accepts this reality. But now I feel healthier and stronger than at the tip of my profession.
When you concentrate on how well the season went and the way my body feels, I’m encouraged enough to say that I would like to be a part of Milano-Cortina 2026 next yr.
Cortina is a spot where every part got here together for me: Here I learned to place together a race, to climb a podium and particularly when I spotted that I used to be in a position to win. My way of considering has not modified much since my first podium in 2004. I all the time felt a special connection to this mountain – as I could see the precise line, understand its requirements and do what it’s essential achieve success. I made countless wonderful memories in Cortina.
It can be one of the crucial beautiful places I visited and I feel it can be a wonderful Olympic host. Paris last summer revived a world passion for the games and fascinated the audience in a fresh way. I’m confident that Cortina will maintain this swing and trigger recent enthusiasm for winter sports.
I’m also looking forward to seeing Milano-Cortina 2026 as a water catchment torque for ladies with the expected participation in the very best female women in winter games, I heard around 47 percent. The Olympic Games function a stage to advertise many progressive ideas, to advertise changes and to place the sound on gender equality for the remaining of the world. People worldwide see the games because the beacon of unity, hope, pride and inspiration, in order that an almost same representation sends a robust message. The Olympic Games have the strength to encourage changes and set recent standards. Children will see and dream the athletes.
I feel Milano-Cortina 2026 shall be exposed to fewer obstacles than most others. While Milan is just not particularly near Milan, I’m confident that each event location is definitely worth the trip. Athletes stay where they compete and due to this fact no problem for us. I hope that the audience will experience these different places and the breathtaking Dolomites and every part else that Cortina and these games offer.
The athlete
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