Lindsey Vonn, a titan of alpine skiing, is gearing up for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics with a significant boost: fellow Olympic champion Aksel Lund Svindal has joined her coaching team. This partnership, announced on Wednesday, August 6, marks an exciting new chapter for Vonn as she aims for peak performance.
Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist herself, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration. “Bringing Aksel onto my team for this season feels like a natural and incredibly exciting step,” she stated. “His knowledge of the sport—especially when it comes to equipment and race strategy—is unparalleled, and I’ve always valued his insights.”
Svindal, a gold medalist at Vancouver 2010 and PyeongChang 2018, will soon join Vonn for a crucial training camp in Chile. “To have him officially on my team as we push for the Cortina Games is a huge boost,” Vonn added. “This comeback is about pushing boundaries and proving what’s possible, and I believe Aksel will help give me the extra edge I need on this ambitious journey.”
A Winning Partnership
The bond between Vonn and Svindal is not new. The two share a long-standing friendship and the same ski sponsor. Both retired from competitive skiing in 2019, the same year Vonn concluded her illustrious career. Vonn, who made a remarkable return last season after knee surgery, securing a podium finish, will now benefit from Svindal’s experience.
Svindal, who often trained with Vonn during their active careers, commented on the new venture. “I love skiing and I’ve stayed connected to the sport since I retired,” he said. “I was a bit surprised when Lindsey called me, but mostly honored. She is one of the greatest skiers of all time, and I’m very impressed by her determination in this comeback.”
He continued, “I can’t wait to see what’s possible in the coming months. I’ve already started working with her coaches and the team. I’m excited to get back into racing and to work with people I’ve missed these past few years.”
The 2024-25 alpine ski season kicks off on October 25–26 in Soelden, Austria. Vonn’s signature events, downhill and Super-G, are scheduled for December 10–14 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The alpine skiing competitions at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games are set to run from February 7 to 18.
