Former Olympic gold medalist and world champion Lindsey Vonn is returning to skiing, she announced Thursday. She said in an interview with the New York Times that her return was not planned and that she only reconsidered after successful knee replacement surgery seven months ago stopped the pain that had prompted her retirement.

Vonn, then Lindsey Kildow, placed sixth in the combined event, the best finish for any U.S. female Alpine skier at the Salt Lake City Games. It remains the best Olympic finish for any Alpine skier from any nation that young since 1976.

Three New Zealanders who have won Olympic gold medals on the water will be in Hawke’s Bay for separate appearances less than a week apart later this month. The first will be Central Otago canoe slalom representative Finn Butcher,

Vonn, 40, is one of the most decorated female skiers in history. She's a three-time Olympic gold medalist and her 82 World Cup victories were the most ever by a woman until Mikaela Shiffrin surpassed her in 2023. Vonn competed in the Olympics from 2002-2018, only missing the 2014 Games due to injury.

Olympic medalist and legendary skier Lindsey Vonn has unretired from the sport and plans to return for 2026 Olympics.

Lindsey Vonn has revealed she is coming out of retirement. In an interview with The New York Times, Vonn stated she will rejoin the United States Ski Team and plans to race again at 40 years old. Vonn hasn't competed in the Winter Olympics since the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games.

Minnesota native Lindsey Vonn says she is coming out of retirement to rejoin the U.S. Ski Team in an attempt to race again at age 40.