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, 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.

Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn announced the end of a nearly six-year retirement, restarting a career that saw her compete in four Olympics and win three medals. Vonn also won gold at the World Championships twice and took eight World Cup titles in downhill competition.

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.

Five years ago, Lindsey Vonn retired from ski racing, largely because her aching right knee, damaged by high speed crashes and multiple surgeries, could no longer take the stress of the sport. “My career ended with no intention of coming back,

Lindsey Vonn spent 18 years ski racing at the highest level, earning the first Olympic women’s downhill gold for an American, two world championships, four World Cup overall season titles and 82 individual World Cup race victories.