Legendary Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn is gearing up for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy, and she couldn’t be more confident about her physical condition. At age 41, the decorated athlete revealed during a press conference on December 10, 2025, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, that she has gained 12 pounds over the summer as part of her intensive training regimen. Vonn described this progress as a significant milestone in her preparation for the upcoming Games.
“Physically in the Best Shape I’ve Ever Been”
Vonn shared with media that she feels stronger and healthier than she has in years:
“Physically, I’m in possibly the best shape I’ve ever been in. And my body doesn’t hurt, so that’s the best part of all.”
The veteran skier is preparing for two downhill events this weekend as part of the World Cup circuit, marking her second consecutive season competing after a nearly six-year retirement. Her return last season came after a partial replacement surgery on her right knee, and while she faced challenges, she managed to finish her final race in March 2025 with a second-place finish in the Super-G in Idaho.
Focus on Strength, Nutrition, and Discipline
Vonn emphasized that her offseason goal was to build strength and regain mass lost during her previous season:
“I was thinner than I would have liked last season. I didn’t really have any time to prepare, so I didn’t have time to gain my mass back. I was still quite a bit lighter than I was when I was racing in my prime.”
Through a combination of targeted training, diet discipline, and careful planning in the kitchen, Vonn successfully added 12 pounds of lean muscle. She noted,
“It took a lot of hard work. I was probably the most disciplined I’ve ever been with my diet and just how I approached the entire summer. I put everything I had into being as physically prepared as possible.”
Eyes on the 2026 Winter Olympics
With the Winter Olympics starting February 6, 2026, Vonn is focused on competing in three events: downhill, Super-G, and the new team combined race. She expressed confidence in her current form:
“For my age, I feel pretty damn good. I probably feel better now than I did before I tore my first ACL in 2013. So that was quite a long time ago.”
Vonn’s experience, combined with her rigorous training, makes her one of the most prepared athletes on the U.S. Alpine skiing team. Her comeback journey continues to inspire fans and fellow athletes alike.
Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic Legacy
Lindsey Vonn is one of the most decorated female skiers in history. She has earned three Olympic medals:
- Gold in downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Games
- Bronze in Super-G at the 2010 Vancouver Games
- Bronze in downhill at the 2018 PyeongChang Games
Her return to competitive skiing after retirement has been closely followed by fans worldwide, and her performance leading up to the 2026 Winter Olympics is generating excitement for her potential podium finishes.
Key Takeaways
- Lindsey Vonn gained 12 pounds of lean muscle over the summer to prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
- She feels physically stronger than ever at age 41, describing herself as “in possibly the best shape” of her life.
- Vonn is competing in downhill, Super-G, and team combined races this season.
- She returned from a nearly six-year retirement last season after partial knee replacement surgery.
- Vonn has three Olympic medals and remains one of the top contenders in women’s Alpine skiing.
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