Lindsey Vonn explains shock comeback at 40: "I'm as surprised as everyone else... things that were bothering me for years were suddenly gone" 

Lindsey Vonn surprised everyone, including herself, when she announced her plans to make a skiing comeback five years after retiring in 2019. The Olympic champion claimed she never thought it was possible before surgery on her right rejuvenated knee.

Vonn dealt with a series of knee injuries from 2013 to 2018 which eventually forced her to retire in 2019. She, nonetheless, finished as the most decorated skier in history with 82 wins before being overtaken by current record holder Mikaela Shiffrin.

Five years after her retirement at the 2019 World Championships, the three-time Olympic medalist surprised the world with comeback plans. However, Vonn was surprised as well, claiming she had never thought the pain in her knee would go away.

"I honestly thought it's never going to happen. I am as surprised as everyone else. I'm really enjoying this journey. No one's ever done this, so I honestly don't know how far I can take it but so far it's been incredible, the response has been incredible," Lindsey Vonn said during an interview on the Today show.

The 40-year-old explained that her pain suddenly vanished after undergoing a knee replacement surgery earlier this year, which eventually led to the comeback.

"I always thought it was over. Of course, if I had the opportunity to keep skiing I would have but my injuries always held me back and I don't know when I got this surgery I felt so good. I had no more pain, things that were bothering me for so many years were suddenly gone and I thought if I feel this good, playing tennis and doing all the things I love, what about skiing?" she added.

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Lindsey Vonn officially qualifies for the 2024/25 Alpine Ski World Cup

Lindsey Vonn Training Session - Lindsey Vonn preparing for a comeback (Source: Getty)

After announcing her comeback plans, Lindsey Vonn made her second skiing debut in two lower-tier super-G races in Colorado. She placed 24th and 19th after finishing 2.19 seconds and 2.09 seconds behind in the respective races.

However, the 40-year-old managed to earn enough points to qualify for the World Cup. Sharing her joy in an announcement on Instagram, she wrote:

"Well… I have officially qualified for the World Cup!! The races this weekend were so much fun and a great training opportunity. Still have some work to do but this is a great step in my progression."

Lindsey Vonn doesn't have enough points to compete at next week's World Cup races in Beaver Creek, Colorado. However, she will be eligible for the following events after US Ski and Snowboard requests FIS for a wild card, which gives an advantage to retired skiers making a comeback.