Former Olympic gold medalist and world champion Lindsey Vonn is returning to skiing, she announced Thursday. She said in an interview with the New York Times that her return was not planned and that she only reconsidered after successful knee replacement surgery seven months ago stopped the pain that had prompted her retirement.

The next Winter Olympics are in Italy in February 2026, and while it’s not clear if Vonn plans to participate, the women’s Alpine skiing events will be held on a course where she holds a record 12 victories.

Lindsey Vonn is coming out of retirement to rejoin the U.S. Ski Team, intending to race again at age 40 — and six years after her last Olympics.