After all the criticism, injuries, and everything else that came her way since returning to alpine skiing in November 2024, Lindsey Vonn just showed the world she’s not going anywhere. At 40, she made a comeback, snagging second place in the super-G at the Stifel Sun Valley World Cup Finals on March 23. Sure, it wasn’t the win she’d dreamed of, but it might have meant even more. Being back on the podium, especially on home snow, after all the hurdles she faced? That’s what finishing strong is all about. So what did she have to say?
It was like a full-circle moment: seven years since she was last on the World Cup podium, almost a decade since she raced on home snow, and a big “take that” to anyone who thought she was too old, too injured, or too far gone. At 40, Vonn became the oldest woman ever to stand on a FIS Alpine World Cup podium, and her tears when she got her medal said everything.
She later shared an emotional statement about what this 2025 season meant to her. On March 29th, Lindsey Vonn shared a heartfelt post that took us through her entire journey since announcing her comeback. On Instagram, she posted a series of photos that captured what she’s been through. It started with a picture of her captioned “Lindsey Vonn will end her retirement.” The next photo?
A proud moment—her second-place finish at the Sun Valley World Cup. But along with those high points, she shared a look behind the scenes—working out in the gym after knee surgery, struggling to bend her knee, but still smiling while rocking her alpine skiing gear. Through it all, you could see her determination and love for the sport.
But Lindsey Vonn didn’t just show us the wins. She was really about the tough moments, too. She posted pictures of herself crying, in pain, and even with her dog, showing how emotional this comeback was. There were pictures with teammates like Erica Kiprani, Alison Mollon, and others, enjoying the small wins and moments of joy. And then, of course, moments with fans, selfies, and just pure happiness in the snow.
But despite the challenges, she kept pushing and skiing! Lindsey Vonn’s caption hit home: “When I started this journey, I didn’t entirely know where it would take me… I’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible support I’ve received, but also saddened by the lack of it at times. In the end, I never stopped believing in myself.” She shared how she slowly built her confidence, fixed her equipment, and got herself back in the game.
But for her, it was never about proving anything to anyone—“I’m happy I never believed that I wasn’t good enough anymore… because I am good enough, and it has nothing to do with my results. I’m more than a skier. I’m a strong woman who loves to ski fast.” Lindsey also reflected on how excited she was for what’s ahead, pushing the boundaries of what people think is possible because, as she put it, “you’re never too old to follow your dreams!”
She ended the post by expressing her gratitude for her team, her fans, and everyone who made her comeback season so special. “The last pic says it all…” she wrote, showing just how meaningful this entire journey has been. But at the same time, it didn’t come so easily!
Lindsey Vonn fights back against brutal criticism
When Lindsey Vonn decided to make her comeback at 40, she faced a lot of criticism that other athletes don’t seem to get. While guys like Tom Brady and Lewis Hamilton are celebrated for continuing past 40, Vonn was met with harsh comments. Before she even hit the slopes, some big names, like Michaela Dorfmeister and Franz Klammer, questioned her mental health.
Dorfmeister even suggested Vonn should see a psychologist, while Klammer said she’d “gone completely mad.” Vonn wasn’t having it, especially since the criticism wasn’t focused on her ability but on her personal life. “No one asked Marcel [Hirscher] if his life was fulfilled outside of ski racing. That was only directed at me. And that’s pretty messed up,” she said, calling out the double standard. But at the same time, that didn’t stop her because she had a goal in mind!
Lindsey Vonn’s ultimate dream is to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy before retiring for good. If she reaches her goal, it would be her fifth Olympic appearance, having already competed in 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2018, earning three Olympic medals: a gold in downhill in 2010, a bronze in super-G in 2010, and another bronze in downhill in 2018. While there’s still a long way to go, her recent podium finish shows she might just close out her career on her terms.
The post “Wasn’t Good Enough”: Lindsey Vonn Makes Heartbreaking Confession As Skiing Legend Sums Up 2025 Season appeared first on EssentiallySports.
