Lindsey Vonn is among the 48 athletes nominated to the U.S. Alpine ski team for the upcoming season, marking the strongest indication yet that she may return to competitive skiing after her devastating crash at the Winter Olympics. Although the selection of the former Olympic gold medalist is largely a formality based on her previous year's results, Vonn has hinted at a possible comeback while continuing her rehabilitation.
A Long Road to Recovery
The 41-year-old is still at least a year and a half away from considering a return to the World Cup circuit, and she requires another ACL surgery. Since her crash during the women's downhill race on February 8 at the Milan Cortina Games, Vonn has undergone eight surgeries. She suffered a complex tibia fracture that nearly led to the amputation of her left leg. At the time of the accident, she was competing on a torn left ACL, which she had injured in a previous crash leading into the Winter Olympics.
Nomination Process
The nomination is the first step in forming the U.S. Ski & Snowboard team. Ski racers who accept the nomination and meet the requirements will be officially announced in October. The opening World Cup races begin with a giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, in late October. Other notable nominees include Mikaela Shiffrin, the reigning World Cup overall champion and three-time Olympic gold medalist, as well as Olympic downhill champion Breezy Johnson. On the men's side, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, who won his second Olympic super-G silver medal in Italy, was selected.
Vonn's Comeback and Recent Progress
Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist, came out of retirement in November 2024 after nearly six years away. She felt healthy and strong following a partial titanium implant in her right knee. She quickly regained her speed, winning two World Cup races during the 2025-26 season and achieving three other podium finishes in five races. She was leading the World Cup downhill standings before her Olympic crash, eventually finishing fifth. Vonn, who has won 84 World Cup races, has stated she is not ready to decide her future and is focusing on healing.
This week marked a significant milestone in her recovery when she took her first steps without crutches at the 2026 Met Gala. Vonn attended the exclusive event at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York City on Monday night. Dressed by Thom Browne, she wore a glamorous beaded white mermaid gown with an inky black pattern and a large tulle trim. The most striking aspect of her appearance was the absence of crutches, which she had used for the past three months. The American fashion house designed a custom cane for the occasion, allowing her to step out without her usual mobility aids.
Future Uncertain
Vonn still needs at least one more surgery to repair a torn ACL in her knee. She recently admitted to being in "survival mode" following the crash. In an interview with CNN, she said, "I think you have to be reflective. And I haven't really been able to be that reflective yet, because I'm still in survival mode. I'm still really fighting my way through it. I've tried to start my therapy with my therapist and I just can't really get there yet. And there will be a lesson. And, you know, I always try to look at the positives of everything. Maybe this is going to be the best thing that's ever happened to me in my life. Maybe some door will open that would never otherwise be open to me. So as horrible as this is and as hard as it is, like, who knows where the future will take me in? I'm just kind of along for the ride."
