Lindsey Vonn Continues to Re-Write History Books in St. Moritz

Lindsey Vonn has once again defied gravity—and expectations—by storming to victory in the World Cup downhill at St. Moritz, Switzerland. The result is monumental, as the 41-year-old American ski icon secured her first World Cup win since 2018, marking a stunning cap to her comeback after a five-year retirement. This is a victory that proves that pure focus and drive have no expiration date.

The women's downhill on the Corviglia course saw Vonn lay down a run that was nothing short of a masterclass. She didn't just win; she dominated, securing the lead by a staggering 0.98 seconds ahead of Austria's Magdalena Egger. This margin is massive in the high-stakes world of downhill racing.

Interestingly, Vonn didn't lead early on. She actually trailed by over half a second after the second time check. However, this is where the veteran’s experience took over. She flipped the race decisively in the lower half of the course, which is notoriously fast and dangerous. Vonn—who has been making moves toward a triumphant return, as previously seen with her Sun Valley Super-G podium earlier this year—posted the fastest time splits in the final sectors. She carried unbelievable momentum and reached a top speed of 119 kph (74 mph). Once she found her rhythm, no one could match her acceleration.

With this victory, Vonn earns her 83rd career World Cup win and extends her all-time record for downhill victories to 44. The most incredible achievement of the day is that Vonn has officially become the oldest alpine skier in history—male or female—to win a World Cup race. She is 41 years old and is still skiing faster than the rest.

This stunning performance also perfectly kicks off her Olympic season as she aims for a final tilt at a second Olympic gold medal at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games in 2026. Her comeback is not just a personal story; it’s an inspiration to everyone who lives and breathes action sports.

Vonn’s return to the top is the culmination of years of intense work, including a comeback after a five-year retirement and an operation involving titanium implants in her right knee. This is an athlete who, even in an off-season, is always putting in the work. She has credited her success to her entire team and the guidance of her new coach, former Olympic champion Aksel Lund Svindal.

The emotion was palpable at the finish line. Vonn hit the safety barriers, looked up at the clock, and erupted with joy before mimicking Steph Curry's "Night, night" celebration. The feeling of topping out and preparing to rip a line you've scoped from the deck is what athletes live for, and Vonn cashed in on that feeling big time.

For an unfiltered look at the immense mental and physical struggles Vonn has battled throughout her career, you can tap into the HBO documentary, Lindsey Vonn: The Final Season. The TGR film crew was embedded with Vonn during her final campaign as she battled to break the all-time wins record, capturing the intimate moments that define an icon. It is an unbelievable look at the grit it takes to dominate such a gnarly sport.

She is scheduled to race another downhill on Saturday and a Super-G on Sunday at St. Moritz. After a performance this dialed, the rest of the field is officially on notice.