For the first time in almost six years, alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn is set to return to the start of a competition. The Vancouver 2010 gold medallist, who announced her comeback last month, will compete this weekend at the FIS Fall Festival in Copper Mountain, Colorado (USA). This is the first step for the 40-year-old, who wants to return to the World Cup if her level allows it? And what about the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina?

Vonn will take part in a downhill event on Saturday, December 7, and a Super-G on Sunday, US ski team head coach Paul Kristofic confirmed. Her goal is to improve her FIS ranking and secure a special invitation to the World Cup. “If she stays healthy and keeps improving like she’s doing, I think she’ll be competitive,” Kristofic told the Associated Press.

LINDSEY VONN GETS BETTER

The 40-year-old skier last competed in February 2019, when she won a bronze medal in the downhill event at the World Championships in Åre, Sweden. The return marks a new chapter for the iconic athlete, who has been training alongside current World Cup competitors at Copper Mountain in preparation for the opening of the women’s sprint season in Beaver Creek from 11-15 December. In doing so, Vonn officially joins a strong U.S. women’s team, led by Mikaela Shiffrin.

Vonn also has mandatory training sessions scheduled for Friday, and her progress has been described as “very promising” by Kristofic. “Every time she goes out on the track she improves. It’s been a lot of work to get back into the rhythm after a five-year absence. But she’s motivated, trying really hard and I think she’s really enjoying it,” he added.

WORLD CUP IN FOCUS

The FIS Fall Festival will serve as a key test to assess Vonn’s readiness to compete at the highest level again. If she performs well, it could pave the way for her return to the World Cup circuit, where she has been a dominant figure for many years. From here, without confirming his intentions, no one has ruled out that he could make it to the big event at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina in just over a year’s time. The hope of seeing Vonn at this event is still intact, even if there is still a long way to go.

As one of the most decorated female skiers in history, Vonn’s return is eagerly awaited by fans and rivals alike. Her presence on the slopes brings renewed excitement and enthusiasm to alpine skiing.