A U.S. Olympic skiing legend is coming out of retirement. On Thursday, the surprising news broke that Lindsey Vonn planned to come out of retirement and rejoin the U.S. Ski Team. Vonn last raced in 2019 and her last Olympics came in Pyeongchang for the 2018 Winter Games.

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.

Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn announced the end of a nearly six-year retirement, restarting a career that saw her compete in four Olympics and win three medals. Vonn also won gold at the World Championships twice and took eight World Cup titles in downhill competition.

Lindsey Vonn is coming out of retirement to rejoin the U.S. Ski Team, she announced Thursday, intending to race again at age 40 — and six years after her last Olympics. Vonn is a three-time Olympic medalist,

Five years ago, Lindsey Vonn retired from ski racing, largely because her aching right knee, damaged by high speed crashes and multiple surgeries, could no longer take the stress of the sport. “My career ended with no intention of coming back,

Lindsey Vonn spent 18 years ski racing at the highest level, earning the first Olympic women’s downhill gold for an American, two world championships, four World Cup overall season titles and 82 individual World Cup race victories.