Former Olympic gold medalist and world champion Lindsey Vonn is returning to skiing, she announced Thursday. She said in an interview with the New York Times that her return was not planned and that she only reconsidered after successful knee replacement surgery seven months ago stopped the pain that had prompted her retirement.

The next Winter Olympics are in Italy in February 2026, and while it’s not clear if Vonn plans to participate, the women’s Alpine skiing events will be held on a course where she holds a record 12 victories.

Vonn, 40, is one of the most decorated female skiers in history. She's a three-time Olympic gold medalist and her 82 World Cup victories were the most ever by a woman until Mikaela Shiffrin surpassed her in 2023. Vonn competed in the Olympics from 2002-2018, only missing the 2014 Games due to injury.