Lindsey Vonn has added former skier Aksel Lund Svindal to her coaching staff in preparation for the Winter Olympics in early 2026.

The 40-year-old American, who won downhill gold at the 2010 Games, returned to the sport last year with a new titanium knee and ambitions to compete at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, from February 6-22. Vonn had to end her career early in 2019 after a series of accidents and injuries before undergoing surgery on her right knee.

Svindal, a two-time Olympic champion, will begin his new role at a training camp in Chile later this summer, her equipment supplier Head said in a statement.

"To be able to count on him before the Games in Cortina is a really big bonus. This comeback is about proving what's possible and I think Aksel will give me that extra edge that I need on this ambitious journey. I'm grateful to have him on my team, I couldn't ask for a better partner", said Vonn, who has 82 World Cup victories in her career.

Svindal has a rich resume, being a four-time Olympic medalist and five-time world champion. He retired from skiing after winning a silver medal in the downhill in his last World Cup start in 2019. He admitted he was "a little surprised when Lindsey called me, but it's an honor".

Vonn finished her comeback season with a second-place finish in a World Cup Super-G in March. It was her first podium finish in a World Cup event since March 15, 2018, when she finished third in Super-G race. A year later, she won bronze in the downhill at the World Championships. | BGNES