Lindsey Vonn touches down in Milano, participates in a traditional ritual to bring luck before the 2026 Winter Games
Lindsey Vonn jetted off to Milano for the special lighting ceremony of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games Christmas Tree in Piazza Duomo. The American skier also participated in a traditional Milan ritual to ring in luck ahead of her races at the 2025-26 World Cup.
Vonn will take the St. Moritz slopes for the downhill events on December 12-13, 2025, which will also serve as a gateway to the 2026 Winter Games.
Lindsey Vonn Completes Milan Ritual During Special Cortina Olympics Lighting Ceremony
Vonn shared a series of Instagram stories showing that she had touched down in Milano with her dog, Chance, and joined the crowd in Piazza Duomo, where the Christmas tree lighting ceremony took place, marking the beginning of the Olympic season. She also posted a picture of the busy street, with lights shaped like different winter sports hanging overhead. The Olympic champion wrote:
“@milanocortina2026 are coming soon.”
Lindsey Vonn during the lighting of the Milano Cortina Olympics Christmas Tree
The 41-year-old also participated in a traditional Milan ritual for luck, spinning clockwise three times on the mosaic bull’s testicles in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, all while accompanied by her beloved dog, Chance.
“We did the thing that brings you luck…”
Lindsey Vonn rings in luck before the Milano Cortina Games
The 82-time World Cup winner completed her training session in St. Moritz with the US Ski Team before her first downhill race at the Swiss resort. Continuing to grind in the gym, Vonn is aiming for more podium finishes this year after winning her first podium in seven years at the 2024-25 World Cup finals.
READ MORE: Lindsey Vonn Set for World Cup Season Debut After Training in St. Moritz, Eyes Winter Olympics Qualification
Lindsey Vonn Pinned Her Hopes On Winning Big At The Winter Games 2026
Vonn has had her fair share of struggles, especially due to her injuries that initially ended her career in 2019. She also underwent a partial knee replacement surgery in 2024, but never let anything or anyone dim her shine. She showed immense determination and grit, deciding to return to competition at the 2024-25 World Cup circuit.
However, she also confirmed that the Olympics in Milano, Cortina would be the last stop before she finally retires. She recently discussed her plan to cap her career more effectively than she did in 2019.
Moreover, she noted that she can still race at the front, as she demonstrated during the 2024–25 World Cup season, despite some ups and downs. Vonn believes she has a real chance of winning big in Milano, which will be her fifth appearance at the Games. The American skier, the third-most decorated after Mikaela Shiffrin and Ingemar Stenmark, was the first American woman to win downhill gold in the 2010 edition.
