“Responsibility to fight story" - Lindsey Vonn opens up on her approach while aiming for Winter Olympics after making comeback

Lindsey Vonn spoke about her approach while training for the Winter Olympics. Vonn returned to skiing in November 2024, six years after announcing her retirement. She decided to return to the sport after a partial knee surgery in April of the same year.

Vonn previously retired in 2019 after suffering a major knee injury in November 2018, which led to returning injuries. In the last race before her retirement in Are, Sweden, she won a bronze medal in downhill. The American skier stunned her fans after making a return at 40. In an interview with King 5 Seattle, she highlighted her approach towards the comeback, stating she always planned to retire at 30.

She said that this unexpected opportunity makes her feel lucky, and she wants to keep enjoying it regardless of the results.

"I always had the plan to retire at 30," Vonn said. "I never would have predicted almost anything that's happened in my life, and that's kind of a good thing because it's an adventure. It's an ever-evolving mom's stroke and responsibility to fight story and you keep learning and growing, and so again, I do feel really lucky that I have this opportunity and I'm going to enjoy it every moment. No matter what happens, I'm going to enjoy it." (5:30 onwards)

She also takes inspiration from her late mother Linda Krohn who passed away in 2022, a year after she was diagnosed with ALS.

Lindsey Vonn claps back at Slovenia's Ilka Stuhec for calling her 'Grandma'

Lindsey Vonn during the Team USA Media Summit ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in New York City. (Photo by Getty Images)

Lindsey Vonn took a slam at Slovenia's Ilka Stuhec for referring to the American skier as 'Grandma.' In an interview with Time.com, Vonn highlighted the constant backlash and called out the young skiers for their overly flattering comments.

“It was weird,” Vonn said. “They’re like, ‘I used to watch you when I was growing up. Can we please not say that anymore? If I hear that one more time...”

“She did it to get under my skin,” Vonn added. “Like, why are we doing this? I get it if it’s the 18-year-old calling me grandma. You’re 30-something. So let’s reel it back.”

After her return, Lindsey Vonn secured second place in the Super-G race at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Idaho in March, becoming the oldest female Alpine skier to earn a podium victory at the World Cup.