Lindsey Vonn Aims for Gold in Comeback Bid at Winter Olympics

The 41-year-old skiing legend returns to competition just 9 days after tearing her ACL, headlining a packed day of action at the Milan Cortina Games.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are in full swing, with a star-studded lineup of events on tap for Sunday. Headlining the day is the gutsy comeback attempt of 41-year-old skiing legend Lindsey Vonn, who will compete in the women's downhill just 9 days after tearing her ACL. Elsewhere, the U.S. figure skating team looks to defend its gold medal in the team event, while Czech snowboarder Ester Ledecká aims to make history with a third straight Olympic gold in parallel giant slalom. There are also medals up for grabs in biathlon, cross-country skiing, luge, and speed skating.

Why it matters

Vonn's return to competition after a devastating injury is one of the most remarkable comeback stories in sports history. Her performance could inspire others and cement her legacy as one of the greatest winter athletes of all time. The U.S. figure skating team's quest to retain its Olympic title also carries high stakes, as the team faces a stiff challenge from Japan. And Ledecká's pursuit of an unprecedented third straight gold medal in the same event would cement her status as a snowboarding legend.

The details

Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist, will compete in the women's downhill just nine days after tearing the ACL in her left knee during a World Cup race in Switzerland. In training runs over the past two days, she has posted times more than 2 seconds faster than her initial practice runs, indicating she may be rounding into form. In the figure skating team event, the U.S. holds a slim lead over Japan, but the outcome remains uncertain with the pairs, women's, and men's free skates still to come. Ledecká, who made history in 2018 by winning gold medals in both skiing and snowboarding, is aiming to become the first snowboarder to three-peat an Olympic event in the parallel giant slalom.

  • Lindsey Vonn completed her second straight day of training on Saturday, finishing her downhill run in 1:38.28.
  • The figure skating team event will conclude on Sunday with the free skates of the pairs, women, and men.
  • The parallel giant slalom finals are scheduled for Sunday at 7 a.m. NBC coverage begins at 7:30 a.m.

The players

Lindsey Vonn

A 41-year-old American skiing legend who is attempting a gutsy comeback just 9 days after tearing her ACL, aiming to add to her three Olympic medals.

Ilia Malinin

A 21-year-old American figure skater who is one of the biggest stars at the 2026 Winter Olympics, though he had an uncharacteristically imperfect performance in the men's short program portion of the team event.

Ester Ledecká

A Czech snowboarder who is aiming to become the first snowboarder in Olympic history to three-peat an event, having won gold in the parallel giant slalom in 2018 and 2022.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are shaping up to be a showcase of remarkable comebacks, historic achievements, and fierce international competition across a wide range of winter sports. From Lindsey Vonn's gutsy return to the slopes to Ester Ledecká's pursuit of an unprecedented three-peat, these Games are delivering must-watch drama and inspiration for sports fans around the world.