Going into Olympic year, Lindsey Vonn adds Norwegian legend to coaching staff

Throughout last winter’s comeback campaign, Lindsey Vonn often emphasized the importance of steadily dialing in her equipment.

After six years away from the World Cup, the process of fine-tuning new boots and skis was even more critical for the 82-time winner. As she prepares for one more Olympic push, Vonn has enlisted a close friend, fellow legend and — perhaps most importantly — equipment guru.

On Wednesday, Vonn announced that Aksel Lund Svindal will be her principal coach for 2025-26.

“Bringing Aksel onto my team for this season feels like a natural and incredibly exciting step. We’ve shared so much history on the mountain, from training to winning World Cup titles, and there’s a deep level of trust and respect that’s developed over the years,” Vonn said in a press release.

“His knowledge of the sport, especially when it comes to equipment and race strategy, is unparalleled, and I’ve always valued his insights. To have him officially on my team as we push for the Cortina Games is a huge boost.”

According to the New York Times, Chris Knight — Vonn’s coach last season — will remain on staff as well.

Svindal is a four-time Olympic medalist, five-time world champion and two-time overall World Cup winner. The Norwegian left the sport after claiming a silver medal in his last race, the 2019 world championship downhill. The 42-year-old has avoided coaching since retiring, but couldn’t resist the opportunity to team up with the American legend.

“When one of the greatest to ever do the sport calls you up and wants your help, you’re honored and flattered,” Svindal told the New York Times in an interview last week. “I was a little surprised that I said yes to her offer, but I do miss the sport, and I really do think I can make a difference. There is a good chance of her coming to the Olympics as one of the favorites.”

According to the New York Times, Vonn is hoping Svindal can help her embrace the “aggressive race tactics” more synonymous with men’s racing, as well as provide equipment advice. Both athletes are HEAD brand ambassadors; Svindal has contributed to ski tech development within the company, including the Energy Management Circuit (EMC) for race skis.

“The right setup of skis, boots and bindings is crucial for the confidence and speed needed to win,” Svindal said in the press release. “Through the years of training and racing together, Lindsey and I built a lot of trust and respect, so I felt I could make an impact quickly. The same goes for HEAD. We both raced for HEAD, and I still have a very close relationship with the company.”

Vonn and Svindal will begin working together in person at a training camp in Chile later this summer. According to the HEAD press release, Svindal was already helping Vonn remotely last season. Before her retirement in 2019, she regularly sought advice from the Norwegian regarding equipment, as she’s been competing on men’s skis since 2008.

After a successful knee surgery in April 2024, Vonn, who has four overall globes and 16 discipline titles — the most of any skier in history — announced her return to the World Cup last November. While she lacked the requisite points required to compete at Beaver Creek in December, the Minnesota-born Ski and Snowboard Club Vail alumna acted as forerunner at the Birds of Prey World Cup. She was 14th in her first race back, a super-G in St. Moritz. That was followed by a sixth in the downhill on Jan. 11 and a fourth in the super-G the following day.

Vonn closed the season in style, claiming her 138th-career podium at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho. Her second-place finish made her the oldest women’s World Cup podium finisher in history and sent her into the offseason with an extra boost of momentum. Vonn told the New York Times she has put in more summer strength work this year compared to last.

“Last year I was in beach shape,” Vonn told the New York Times. “I wasn’t in ski racing shape. But now I am so much more fit physically.”

Vonn plans to retire after her final Olympic race, unless she has a shot at a crystal globe.

“This entire comeback has been a great way to mentally say goodbye to the sport,” she continued. “It’s been an exclamation point to my career, and I hope it inspires people.”