Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin, two of the most decorated skiers in history, found themselves at the center of a controversy earlier this year. Vonn had initially expressed excitement about teaming up with Shiffrin for the combined event at the 2025 Alpine World Championships, a format that would debut at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. However, Shiffrin later withdrew from the partnership, citing the need to focus on her individual events. Eventually, she reversed course, opting to compete in the combined event but alongside Breezy Johnson instead. The decision left Vonn disappointed, and she did not shy away from voicing her frustration. The fallout led to speculation about tension between the two stars, especially after Team Shiffrin went on to secure gold while Vonn and her new partner, AJ Hurt, finished a distant 16th.
Despite the initial discord, Vonn set aside any lingering resentment when Shiffrin reached a historic milestone. On February 10, Shiffrin won her 100th World Cup race, a feat that further cemented her legacy as one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time. Vonn, who previously held the women’s record for World Cup wins, publicly acknowledged the achievement with a simple but powerful message on X, writing, “Epic achievement!!” Her reaction highlighted the mutual respect between the two icons, even in the face of past differences. Vonn had long admired Shiffrin’s dominance, previously stating that her successor’s accomplishments were pushing the sport to new heights. Though they never got to compete as a team, their individual legacies continue to shape the future of alpine skiing.
Meanwhile, Vonn is making headlines of her own, preparing for what could be a stunning comeback. At 40 years old and after multiple knee surgeries, she remains determined to defy expectations and return to competition. Critics have questioned whether she can still perform at the highest level, but Vonn remains unfazed. She has pointed to advances in sports medicine as a reason why aging athletes should not be written off so easily. With an eye on the 2026 Winter Olympics, she is proving that resilience and ambition can transcend age. If she succeeds in making a return to the sport she once dominated, it would not just be a comeback—it would be a statement.
