Video: Lindsey Vonn Eyes 2026 Winter Olympics Bid amid World Cup Skiing Return

Three-time Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn provided some insight into her final goal as she returns to alpine skiing.

Vonn confirmed on Saturday that she's targeting a trip to the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will occur in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

"I've tried to keep everything in perspective and not set goals too high," Vonn said after forerunning the Stifel Birds of Prey World Cup races at Beaver Creek, Colorado. "But ultimately, if I can make it to Cortina, that would be my goal."

The 40-year-old initially stepped away from the sport after the 2019 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, but she announced plans to come out of retirement and join the U.S. Ski Team on Nov. 14.

Vonn's injuries played a role in her break from alpine skiing, revealing that she underwent knee replacement surgery in April. On Saturday, she detailed her recovery from the procedure.

"It feels so amazing to be back," Vonn said. "I can't tell you how big of a difference it makes to be able to ski without pain. It's a completely new world for me. I haven't felt this good in 15 years, so I'm excited to be back."

When she left the tour in 2019, her 82 World Cup wins represented a women's record at the time and she still sits at No. 2 on the all-time leaderboard behind Mikaela Shiffrin at 99.

Vonn was hand-timed at 1:34.1 as a forerunner at Beaver Creek on Saturday, which would have placed her just inside the top 20 of the eventual race (h/t Rory Jiwani of Olympics.com).

Vonn is set to compete in a pair of super-G events at the World Cup in St. Moritz, but an appearance in the Games is her ultimate goal.