Lindsey Vonn Just Silenced the Haters

Vonn's haters are eating their words after the super-g World Cup Finals. 

Over the weekend, skiers gathered in Sun Valley, Idaho, for the World Cup Finals. With all eyes on her, it was Vintage Vonn out on the super-g course, giving a powerful and calculated race lap. With a 1.29-second gap between her and Lara Gut-Behrami, Vonn slid into second place and earned her first podium of the season since her return to racing. 

Vonn's podium officially makes her the oldest women's World Cup finisher, a point that the public has not let her forget. As one of the most celebrated and decorated ski racers of all time, it's a wonder folks had so many negative things to say about her return. Rather than rejoice in her continued passion and drive for the sport, even in the face of adversity, Vonn has spent her season having to prove herself all over again as though her to-date career achievements weren't already enough. 

With 137 previous World Cup podiums, it's hard to imagine Vonn's decision to return to racing had anything to do with sponsor obligations or outside pressure and rather was a decision she made for herself out of love for the sport. While it's hardly the first time a female athlete's capability or decision-making has been questioned, hopefully, Vonn's standout performance in Sun Valley will silence the negativity surrounding her return to sport. 

After all, the woman literally has a knee of titanium now, and if that doesn't say, "Don't mess with me," I don't know what does. 

Vonn's podium finish comes after a roller coaster of a season but proves that she's not messing around in her return. The 40-year-old racer is hoping to make her fifth Olympic team for the 2026 Games and then retire "for good." The team is able to qualify four racers per Olympic race, and Vonn is currently ranked third in downhill and super-g.