Editor’s be aware: Lindsey Vonn is a former Olympic alpine snowboarding champion and eight-time World Cup downhill season champion. With lower than a 12 months to go till the 2026 Olympics, she writes about her return to the game at age 40 and her ideas on presumably ending her profession on the upcoming Video games. The ladies’s competitors there might be in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, the place Vonn has gained a document 12 occasions on the World Cup tour.
By Lindsey Vonn
I’ve all the time beloved a problem. My journey again to aggressive snowboarding has been pushed by my love of the game, going quick, and the exhilaration that drew me to the slopes. Cortina, Italy, is a particular place to me. It’s the place I first realized my potential to win, and the mountains there have all the time felt like residence to me. With subsequent 12 months’s Olympic Video games being held in Cortina and Milan, I’m eagerly awaiting the prospect to as soon as once more compete within the Olympics and am excited that they occur to be someplace that has been so particular to me.
My motivations right now are precisely what they have been after I was a baby: a deep love for snowboarding, velocity, and competitors, the very issues that made me fall in love with the game. Because of snowboarding, I’ve been lucky sufficient to construct an unbelievable life, and though I had probably the most superb and rewarding time constructing my basis and companies, nothing compares to the enjoyment I really feel at any time when I’m on the slopes.
Retiring from the game in 2019 was not a lot a selection as a necessity. I had collected too many accidents, my physique was now not cooperating, and my proper knee was shot. It was devastating to go away the game I beloved a lot, however I knew it was the one selection for the sake of my bodily wellness.
I bought my partial knee alternative final 12 months so I may maintain exploring, keep energetic, play tennis, and pursue all of the adventures I’d all the time envisioned for myself, however I by no means imagined it will carry me again to competitors. As soon as I spotted simply how nicely my new knee was functioning, I couldn’t assist however marvel how far I may push it. With in depth consideration and clearance from my medical staff, I launched into this path. I went into this with low expectations, however with a lot pleasure, and every step ahead has pleasantly stunned me — and most significantly, I’m having enjoyable.
Lindsey Vonn races in a World Cup downhill in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, final month. She hopes to return subsequent February for the 2026 Olympics. (Mattia Radoni / NurPhoto through Getty Photos)
Ski racing stays a harmful sport. Whether or not I’m in my 20s, my 30s, or my 40s — and whether or not my knee is changed or not — the chance is all the time there. Anybody keen to level their skis downhill at 80 miles per hour accepts that actuality. However I really feel more healthy and stronger now than I did on the finish of my profession.
Contemplating how nicely the season has gone and the way my physique feels, I’m inspired sufficient to say I need to be part of Milano-Cortina 2026 subsequent 12 months.
Cortina is a spot the place the whole lot got here collectively for me: It’s the place I discovered to piece collectively a race, climb onto a podium, and, most significantly, the second I spotted I used to be able to profitable. My mindset hasn’t modified a lot since my first podium there in 2004. I’ve all the time felt a particular reference to that mountain — like I may see the fitting line, perceive its calls for, and do what it takes to succeed. I’ve made numerous great reminiscences in Cortina.
It’s additionally some of the stunning locations I’ve visited, and I imagine it will likely be a wonderful Olympic host. Paris final summer season revived a worldwide ardour for the Video games, charming audiences in a contemporary means. I’m assured that Cortina will maintain that momentum going and spark new enthusiasm for winter sports activities.
I additionally stay up for seeing Milano-Cortina 2026 as a watershed second for ladies, with the anticipated highest-ever feminine participation at a Winter Video games, I heard round 47 %. The Olympics function a stage to advertise many progressive concepts, drive change, and set the tone for the way the remainder of the world approaches gender equality. Individuals worldwide look to the Video games as a beacon of unity, hope, delight, and inspiration, so having almost equal illustration sends a robust message. The Olympics have the ability to encourage change and set new requirements. Youngsters will see the athletes and dream larger due to it.
I imagine Milano-Cortina 2026 will face fewer obstacles than most. Whereas Milan isn’t notably near Cortina, I’m assured each venue will make the journey worthwhile. Athletes will keep the place they compete, so journey for us gained’t be a difficulty. My hope is for spectators to expertise these distinct places, taking within the breathtaking Dolomites and the whole lot else Cortina and these Video games will provide.
(Prime illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; picture: Johann Groder / Getty Photos)