Lindsey Vonn makes her feelings known with inspirational message ahead of first downhill World Cup race in six years

Lindsey Vonn has issued a strong message as she continues her comeback in the new year. The American skier competed in her first competitive race in December 2024 after nearly six years.

Vonn announced in an Instagram post on Thursday that she was entering 2025 recharged and full of energy. The 40-year-old said she was feeling rested as the festive season ends and ready for whatever challenge is thrown her way.

"Energy I’m carrying into the new year ⚡️Feeling rested and ready for whatever lies ahead…," Lindsey Vonn wrote.

The Olympic champion also shared an inspiring message alongside her picture, reminding herself that she had already proven herself and didn't need to pay heed to the opinions of people.

"You've been through a thousand things in your life people don't even know about. You've experienced things that have shook you, changed you, broke you, built you, and taught you that are stronger than you ever thought you had to be. And you are who you are for all of it."

"So the next time someone judges you based on a small part of what they see and how they interpret that, remember who you are, remember how much you've overcome, and smile and keep walking because you don't have a single thing to prove to anyone. You have already proven so much to yourself when you muddled through some storms that people didn't even see because you carried yourself," it read.

Vonn was on a rollercoaster ride in 2024, struggling with knee-related issues at the start of the year before undergoing a partial replacement surgery. The surgery made the skier pain-free, and she announced her intentions to come back after having retired in 2019 due to knee issues.

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Lindsey Vonn skis cautiously in first World Cup race after six years

Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup - Lindsey Vonn in action - Source: Getty

Lindsey Vonn skied cautiously during her first World Cup race on her comeback in St. Moritz, finishing 14th in a Super-G race on December 21st. Despite a relatively slower finish, the American skier termed it a perfect start.

The 40-year-old is now scheduled to compete in a downhill race in St. Anton on Saturday. It will be her first World Cup race downhill in nearly six years, with the three-time Olympic medalist holding the record for most victories, 43, in the event among men and women.

Vonn has a total of 82 victories in the World Cup, making her the third-most decorated athlete behind Mikaela Shiffrin and Ingemar Stenmark, who have 99 and 86 wins respectively.