Lindsey Vonn

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Lindsey Caroline Kildow was born on October 18, 1984, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to Linda Anne Krohn and Alan Lee Kildow. She was the second of five siblings and showed an early affinity for skiing. At the age of two, her family moved to the Twin Cities suburb of Burnsville, where her grandfather built a small ski hill in their backyard to nurture her budding talent.

Recognizing her exceptional potential, the Kildow family made the bold decision to relocate to Vail, Colorado, when Lindsey was seven years old. This move proved transformative—she enrolled in the renowned Ski Club Vail and quickly progressed through the junior ranks, demonstrating the aggressive, fearless racing style that would become her trademark.

By age 16, Vonn was already competing on the World Cup circuit. In March 2002, at just 17 years old, she became the sixth-youngest woman to win a World Cup event, claiming victory in a combined race at Park City, Utah. This early success signaled the arrival of a generational talent.

Breakthrough Years (2004-2008)

Vonn's career trajectory accelerated dramatically in the mid-2000s. After marrying fellow ski racer Thomas Vonn in 2007 (adopting his surname), she entered her prime competitive years. The 2008 season marked her emergence as a dominant force: she won her first overall World Cup title, becoming only the second American woman to achieve this feat after Tamara McKinney.

Her aggressive, attacking style in downhill and super-G events set her apart from competitors. Where others played it safe, Vonn pushed the limits on every turn, often skiing right on the edge of control. This high-risk, high-reward approach led to spectacular victories—and occasionally, spectacular crashes.

Era of Dominance (2008-2013)

The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics represented the pinnacle of Vonn's career to that point. Entering as the favorite after winning back-to-back overall World Cup titles (2008, 2009), she faced immense pressure. Despite suffering a shin injury days before competition, she captured Olympic gold in downhill and bronze in super-G, becoming only the third American woman to win multiple Olympic medals in alpine skiing.

From 2008 to 2013, Vonn was virtually unstoppable, winning four overall World Cup titles (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012) and establishing herself as the face of American skiing. She became a global celebrity, transcending her sport through endorsement deals with major brands including Red Bull, Under Armour, and Rolex. Her combination of athletic excellence, marketability, and media-savvy personality made her one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world.

During this period, she accumulated World Cup victories at a staggering pace, specializing in downhill (the fastest and most dangerous alpine discipline) and super-G. Her fearless approach earned her the nickname "The American Assassin"—a moniker that perfectly captured her ruthless efficiency on the slopes.

Injuries and Resilience (2013-2016)

February 5, 2013, marked a turning point in Vonn's career. During the World Championships in Schladming, Austria, she suffered a devastating crash that resulted in torn ACL and MCL ligaments in her right knee. The injury forced her to miss the rest of the 2013 season and, most heartbreakingly, the 2014 Sochi Olympics—where she had been heavily favored to win multiple medals.

The injuries mounted. In 2016, she suffered a compression fracture to her left knee, followed by a fractured humerus during a training crash. Each setback required months of rehabilitation, surgery, and painful physical therapy. Many athletes would have retired—but Vonn was not most athletes.

Her resilience during this period became legendary. She documented her recovery journey on social media, sharing the grueling rehabilitation process with millions of followers. Her transparency about the physical and mental challenges of returning from career-threatening injuries inspired athletes across all sports.

Record-Breaking Comeback (2017-2019)

Against all odds, Vonn returned to World Cup racing in December 2017. On January 13, 2018, she achieved a milestone that cemented her legacy: winning her 78th World Cup race in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, she surpassed Annemarie Moser-Pröll's 35-year-old record for most World Cup victories by a female skier.

At the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics—her fourth and what she knew might be her final Games—Vonn won bronze in downhill at age 33, becoming the oldest female alpine skiing medalist in Olympic history. Though she fell short of the gold medal she desperately wanted, the bronze represented an extraordinary achievement for an athlete who had endured years of devastating injuries.

Her final World Cup victory came on January 20, 2019—fittingly in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Italian resort where she had broken the all-time record. It was her 82nd career victory, a record that may never be broken. Shortly after, at the World Championships in Åre, Sweden, she captured bronze in downhill, bringing her career total to eight World Championship medals.

Retirement and Legacy (2019-2024)

On February 10, 2019, Lindsey Vonn announced her retirement from professional skiing. In an emotional press conference, she acknowledged that her body—particularly her battered right knee—simply could not withstand the punishment of World Cup racing any longer.

In retirement, Vonn remained active in the sports world. She became an NBC Olympics analyst, founded the Lindsey Vonn Foundation (dedicated to empowering young women through scholarships and educational programs), and pursued interests in fitness, fashion, and philanthropy. She wrote a best-selling memoir, "Rise," chronicling her journey from small-town Minnesota to global superstardom.

Her relationship with former NHL star P.K. Subban (2018-2020) kept her in the public eye, though the couple amicably split. Vonn maintained her A-list celebrity status, appearing at major sporting events, hosting television shows, and serving as an inspiration to millions of young athletes worldwide.

Unprecedented Comeback (2024-2026)

In a development that shocked the sporting world, Vonn announced in April 2024 that she was attempting a comeback—at age 39—to compete at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. The decision came after she underwent an experimental partial knee replacement surgery, pioneered by orthopedic surgeon Dr. William Sterett, that utilized advanced biomaterials to restore joint function.

"My knee hasn't felt this good in 15 years," Vonn said at her comeback press conference. "I have unfinished business. Cortina is where I won my last World Cup race. It feels like destiny."

The comeback captivated the sports world. At 41, Vonn was attempting something unprecedented: returning to elite competition after retirement, multiple career-ending injuries, and knee replacement surgery. Her training times in the lead-up to the Olympics proved she was still competitive, posting the third-fastest time in Olympic training runs.

However, tragedy struck on February 8, 2026, during the Olympic downhill race. Vonn crashed at high speed, suffering significant knee injuries that required emergency surgery. The devastating incident left her Olympic comeback story unfinished—yet even in failure, she demonstrated the courage and determination that defined her legendary career.

Major Achievements and Records

Personal Life

Vonn's personal life has been the subject of significant media attention throughout her career. She married fellow ski racer Thomas Vonn in 2007, and the couple divorced in 2013. From 2013 to 2015, she was in a high-profile relationship with professional golfer Tiger Woods.

Following her retirement, Vonn dated NHL defenseman P.K. Subban from 2018 to 2020; the couple was engaged but amicably separated. She has been open about the challenges of balancing elite athletic competition with personal relationships, often speaking about the sacrifices required to reach the pinnacle of her sport.

Beyond skiing, Vonn has pursued interests in fashion, appearing on the cover of numerous magazines including Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue (2010, 2016) and Vogue. She launched her own activewear line and has been an outspoken advocate for women's sports, equal pay, and body positivity.

Legacy and Impact

Lindsey Vonn's impact on alpine skiing—and women's sports more broadly—cannot be overstated. She transformed skiing from a niche European-dominated sport into mainstream American entertainment. Her combination of fearless athleticism, media savvy, and authentic vulnerability made her relatable to millions who had never watched a ski race before.

Statistically, her 82 World Cup victories stand as a monument unlikely to be surpassed in the modern era of skiing. Only Sweden's Ingemar Stenmark (86 wins) has more career World Cup victories across all alpine disciplines—and his record came in an era with fewer competitors and less global depth.

Perhaps more importantly, Vonn inspired an entire generation of young female athletes to pursue skiing—and to believe they could compete at the highest levels despite injury setbacks. Her willingness to share her struggles with depression, body image issues, and the mental challenges of elite competition helped destigmatize these conversations in sports.

As of 2026, despite the heartbreaking end to her Olympic comeback attempt, Vonn's legacy remains secure. She revolutionized women's alpine skiing, broke barriers that seemed unbreakable, and proved that champions are defined not by whether they fall, but by whether they get back up.

Whether she ever races again or not, Lindsey Vonn will forever be remembered as the greatest female ski racer of all time—and as one of the most inspiring athletes in sports history.