When Lindsey Vonn returned to the professional skiing scene in December 2024, her comeback was met with skepticism. Could she perform, much less handle the pressure, at age 40, after so many years away? But just over a year later, not only has she dealt with the doubters, but she’s also proved everyone wrong with not one but two World Cup victories.

Her first one came at St. Moritz in December 2025, and her latest victory was at Zauchensee this Saturday. This second win made it clear that, despite being 41, she’s still got it! Now, her story has inspired many, including British freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy, who himself retired after Beijing 2022 and has now returned.

“I was thinking about (making a comeback) too, but then seeing her make that decision, she’s even older than I am, and then come back and get a (World Cup podium) in her first year back was really impressive and inspiring,” Kenworthy told Olympics.com.

Last year, when Vonn was still 40 years old, the American finished second in the super-G at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley. She was just 1.29 seconds behind Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami.

Furthermore, the 34-year-old added, “I feel like I was already leaning in that direction, but it gave me that extra nudge towards feeling like I should do it, I should go for it. She continues to inspire me. It’s pretty cool.”

Vonn made the Sun Valley podium in March 2025, and just two months later in May, Kenworthy also made his comeback to the professional scene.

“After taking a step away, I realised I miss skiing and I really want to compete again,” he said at the time, during an interview with ESPN. “I didn’t know if I would be able to come back after three-and-a-half years, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to after seven and a half. So, it’s this Olympics or nothing. I’m never going to have this opportunity again.”

If the Kenworthy qualifies, the 2026 Winter Olympics will be his fourth and final appearance at the Games. Needless to say, he’s keenly aware of how fierce the competition is for a person his age. As for Vonn, returning to the professional stage was far from easy.

Lindsey Vonn’s coach describes her comeback journey

The moment Lindsey Vonn decided that it was time for her to get back to professional skiing, she reached out to Aksel Lund Svindal. In February, the American skier asked the Norwegian coach to join her coaching team, and he didn’t disappoint her. However, returning to the sport after almost six years, it wasn’t easy for Vonn.

“I watched her last year when she started her comeback and had some theories on what could be worked on. She was fast, but up and down, and made a lot of mistakes,” Svindal said. “It was probably unexpected for her because she was so stable and successful before she retired.”

Indeed, watching some with more than 80 World Cup wins struggle was not easy. Even Vonn made mistakes here and there, despite all the experience she had before.

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Her coach further said, “Coming back after five years, you kind of have to re-learn stuff. There’s no shortage of people that would like to give Lindsey Vonn advice on what to do. The problem is if you have too much input, you need to find direction. I think we’ve prepared very well and have found a common direction together.”

The path was difficult, yet her mindset that refuses to give up made her a dominant force in the sport again. Now, only time will tell what fate has in store for Lindsey Vonn heading into the Winter Olympics.