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.

Three-time Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn is launching her comeback on the slopes. The 40-year-old confirmed to the New York Times' Bill Pennington that

"My goal is to enjoy this, and hopefully that road takes me to World Cup races," Vonn said in an interview with the New York Times.