Lindsey Vonn, the renowned skiing champion, is sharing the compelling story behind her decision to come out of retirement. With a career filled with remarkable achievements, from Olympic gold medals to numerous World Cup wins, her return to the slopes has taken the sports world by surprise.

Lindsey Vonn's Journey from Retirement to Reigniting Her Skiing Passion

Reasons for Retirement and Its Impact

In 2018, Lindsey Vonn announced her retirement from skiing, citing a torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL) that prevented her from continuing to participate in the sport. This decision was a significant one, as she had achieved great success on the international stage. Her memoir, "Rise: My Story," released in 2022, documented this chapter of her life.After undergoing multiple knee surgeries, including a full replacement in April, Vonn took on new sports like wake surfing to stay active. However, her love for skiing never truly faded. In November, she shocked the sports world by announcing her return to the sport.

The Change in Attitude After Surgery

During an interview on "Today," Vonn revealed that her attitude toward skiing changed after she felt "so good" coming out of surgery. "I had no more pain and all the things that had been bothering me for so many years were suddenly gone. And I thought, 'If I feel this good playing tennis and all these other things, what about skiing?'" This realization sparked her decision to give skiing another shot.Her return so far has been nothing short of incredible. In the FIS Fall Festival competition in Colorado over the weekend, she achieved a middle-of-the-pack placement, proving that she still has what it takes. "I'm really enjoying this journey. I honestly don't know how far I can take it," she said.

The Upcoming Winter Games and Its Role

When asked about the upcoming 2026 Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Vonn made it clear that it was not a factor in her decision to return. "I think everyone knows how much I love Cortina," she said, referring to her recording-breaking World Cup wins there. "Let's see what happens, but I don't want to put any expectations on it."Despite her age and the challenges she faced with a knee replacement, Vonn remains determined to make the most of her skiing career. Her first major tournament since returning will be at the World Cup circuit this winter season.Today airs weekdays (beginning at 7 a.m. ET) on NBC, and fans will be eagerly following Vonn's journey as she continues to write her story in the world of skiing.