What does defying age, surviving a rigorous comeback, and inspiring a fellow legend in the process look like? To Lindsey Vonn, it looked like leaving her mark even further into skiing history on March 23, 2025, when she became the oldest woman ever to achieve a World Cup podium at the age of 40, taking second place in the women’s super-G at the Stifel Sun Valley Finals. The win was a victorious day for Vonn’s return season and one that wasn’t lost on her American skiing counterpart, Mikaela Shiffrin, who was quick to share her regards.
Mikaela Shiffrin, a record-breaker in her own right, offered Lindsey Vonn a two-word paean with a brief but impactful post on X, that encapsulated the moment’s wonder. She captioned “Soo impressive💥.” The post was shared on the same day of the race and shared the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team’s announcement of Vonn’s podium place, which included a photo of her navigating the course in her Stifel-raised racing suit. Shiffrin’s words struck a chord broadly, generating a wave of responses from enthusiasts. The exuberance of respect between the two American skiing icons underscored the stature of Vonn’s feat, as she broke the record of Austrian Alexandra Meissnitzer who held the record at about 9 months over 34 years. “Age is just a number,” Vonn said. “If you feel good and you’re mentally still driven and you work hard, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”
The Sun Valley podium was a deeply emotional moment for Vonn, likely marking her final race on home soil. Just days prior, she shared a poignant reflection on social media, writing, “This is my last race in the U.S., and it’s been an incredible journey… I’m so grateful for the support I’ve had over the years.” Racing down the steep Challenger course in Sun Valley, Idaho, Vonn delivered a vintage performance, finishing just 1.29 seconds behind Swiss winner Lara Gut-Behrami. The emotional gravity of the moment was clear as Vonn, a Minnesotan native, descended down the twisting and steep Challenger course, pumping her ski poles in triumph after witnessing her time on the scoreboard. The crowd’s applause resonated with her own elation, creating a fairytale moment in what was perhaps her last home event.
Vonn’s last World Cup podium finish—third place in a super-G in Are, Sweden—came on March 15, 2018. A year later, she called it quits on a legendary career comprising World Cup overall titles (2008–10 and 2012), 82 World Cup race wins, and three Olympic medals. However, thanks to a successful knee surgery and an urge to participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics, she announced her comeback in November 2024. Although the journey back to the top-level was far from easy, Italian racer Federica Brignone wasn’t surprised that Vonn came out on top. “She’s Lindsey Vonn,” said Brignone who clinched the third position. “She’s not somebody coming back from another injury. She has qualities and she’s an amazing champion. Today, she put all the pieces [together] and did an amazing race,” she added.
Looking ahead, the 2026 Italian Winter Olympics is still a possible target for Vonn, although her recent remarks indicate she is perhaps coming close to the end of her career. For Vonn, this podium was not a personal triumph—it was a moment of shared connection with her country and the fans who supported her. The Sun Valley Finals marked a full-circle moment for the St. Paul native, who has been a trailblazer for American skiing for so long. Her career, highlighted by a gold medal in the downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics—the first for a woman from America in that competition—has served as an inspiration to countless competitors, including Shiffrin, who is still pursuing her own records. And as fans we love to see how they always look out for each other.
