Alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn continued her extraordinary comeback on Saturday, claiming her second downhill World Cup victory of the 2025-26 season in Zauchensee, Austria.
The 41-year-old American, who retired in February 2019 and returned to competition in December 2024 after a partial knee replacement, recorded her 84th career World Cup win with a dominant time of 1:06.24 on a shortened, snowy course. She finished 0.37 seconds ahead of Norway’s Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, while fellow American Jacqueline Wiles took third.
“What an incredible day!! On the podium again with my teammate Jackie Wiles! Last time we were on the podium together was Cortina 2018 right before the Olympics in Korea. So proud of you Jackie!! You’ve been through so much and fought so hard. Knew you could do it!!” –Lindsey Vonn
The result marks Vonn’s fourth podium in four downhill races this season, further solidifying her lead in the World Cup downhill standings and positioning her as a strong favorite for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics inFebruary where she has qualified and intends to compete in her fifth and final Games.
Starting from a difficult sixth position Vonn took significant risks in her line choice and executed her plan perfectly. She admitted afterward that she believed her start number left her with little chance, so she attacked aggressively, fully prepared to finish anywhere from last to first.
Last month, Vonn made history as the oldest downhill World Cup winner ever with her victory in St. Moritz, Switzerland. With one Olympic gold and two bronzes already to her name, Vonn continues to prove that age on her road to Cortina.
