Olympic Skier Lindsey Vonn Coming Out of Retirement at 40

Lindsey Vonn is gearing up for a comeback run on the slopes.

The Olympic gold medal winner plans to rejoin the United States ski team, months after she underwent successful knee surgery and more than five years after she announced her retirement.

"Well, it’s off to Colorado…." the 40-year-old wrote on Instagram Nov. 14, alongside a video of herself making her way down a ski slope. "I hope the @usskiteam uniform still fits #onedayatatime."

Vonn explained the reason behind her decision to return to the sport. "Obviously, I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t hope to be racing," she told The New York Times in an interview published the same day. "I have aspirations. I love to go fast. How fast can I go? I don’t know."

The athlete continued, “But I’m not going to put myself in a position to fail. My goal is to enjoy this, and hopefully that road takes me to World Cup races. I wouldn’t be back on the U.S. ski team if I didn’t have intentions."

Vonn underwent right-knee replacement surgery in April and resumed skiing around the start of the summer, pain-free, the New York Times reported. Since August, she has privately logged 15 days of on-snow race training in Europe and New Zealand and plans to participate in the U.S. ski team's training sessions at Copper Mountain in Colorado, which begin Nov. 16.

The Rise: My Story author is also not ruling out a fifth Olympic run to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

“I’ve always enjoyed racing in Cortina and I’ve had a lot of success in Cortina," said Vonn, who has won 12 World Cup races in the area. "I don’t know what the next few months and the next year and a half hold for me. So I can’t say right now if it’s a possibility."

At this point, Vonn added, she's not chasing anything or trying to prove anything to anyone.

"With what I’ve done in my career, I’m thankful I can be in this position," she said. "I don’t have any pressure. It’s just me and the mountain like it was in the beginning.”

U.S. Ski & Snowboard said the presence of the three-time Olympic medalist, who has also won a total of 20 World Cup titles since 2004, "will bring an extra layer of experience to the already successful alpine program."

"Lindsey has made an indelible mark on alpine skiing and our organization throughout her career. We’re delighted to welcome her back," U.S. Ski & Snowboard said President and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt said in a statement. "Her dedication and passion towards alpine skiing is inspiring and we’re excited to have her back on snow and see where she can go from here."

As we await the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, look back at every candid moment from the 2024 Olympics…

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Xu Shixiao and Sun Mengya from Team China were clearly working together during the women's canoe double 500-meter semifinal.

Team USA's Sha'carri Richardson picked up her first gold in the women's 4x100-meter relay.

Everyone's favorite BFFs Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart hitched a ride on a golf cart.

Team China's Liang Yushuai gave folks a new photo pose to try next time they visit the Eiffel Tower.

Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen was very enthusiastic about nabbing a second gold medal.

Emma Roberts couldn't believe what she was seeing during the men's semi-final basketball match between the USA and Serbia.

Tara Davis-Woodhall of Team USA went for the customary biting of the medal after winning gold in the women's long jump.

Sergio Camello of Spain found his own way to celebrate after scoring his fifth goal against France.

Elmo loves getting hugs from Simone Biles.

Emilia Nilsson Garip of Sweden dove into the water during the women's 3 meters springboard final.

Gabrielle Union was cheering on Team USA as they went head-to-head with Serbia in the men's basketball semi-final match.

Team Spain got into the groove during the rhythmic gymnastics competition.

Ben-Sylvester Strautmann, Alexandra de Hanovre, Prince Albert of Monaco and Alain Bernard cheer while at the Men's Team Bronze medal match.

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Team USA's Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone celebrated after breaking her own record and winning gold in the women's 400m hurdles final.

Elzhana Taniyeva of Kazakhstan showed off her very impressive range at the rhythmic gymnastics Individual all round.

One fan really wanted everyone to know which country he was rooting for.

Bronny James cheered on father LeBron James as Team USA took on Serbia in the Men's basketball semifinals competition.

Noah Lyles of Team USA needed a second after competing in the men's 200m final.

Great Britain's Bradly Sinden tried to protect the goods during the Men's Taekwondo 68kg quarterfinals.

Italy's Milena Baldassarri put on quite the show during the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around competition.

Tara David-Woodhall pulled out the cowboy hat after winning gold in women's long jump competition.

Team USA's Tom Schaar put on quite the aerial display while competing in the men's park skateboarding final.

USA's water polo team was full of excitement as they beat Australia and advanced to the semifinals. 

The game was heated as the USA took on Nigeria in the women's quarterfinal basketball match.

Grant Holloway repped the USA after winning the gold medal in the Men's 110m hurdles final.

Venezuela's Katherin Echandia Zarate showed that she never skips arm day during the weightlifting competition.

Michelle Jenneke of Australia didn't quite clear her hurdle in her Women's 100m heat.