The 2025 ESPY nominations were officially unveiled on Thursday, and among the standout names on the prestigious list is none other than Park City’s own skiing icon, Lindsey Vonn. The legendary alpine skier has been nominated in the highly competitive “Best Comeback” category—an honor that reflects not only her athletic prowess but also her extraordinary perseverance and passion for the sport.
Vonn’s fellow nominees include gymnast Suni Lee, NHL star Gabe Landeskog, and collegiate basketball standout Mallory Swenson, making it a powerhouse field of athletes, each with inspiring stories of resilience. The 2025 ESPY Awards ceremony is set to air on July 16 on ESPN, and the anticipation is already building among fans eager to see which inspirational figure will take home the award.
For Vonn, this nomination marks a remarkable chapter in an already storied career. After retiring from professional skiing in 2019 due to chronic injuries and the toll of over two decades of competition, few expected her to ever return to the slopes competitively. But in a move that shocked and thrilled the skiing world, Vonn announced her comeback in late 2024 and went on to defy expectations throughout the season.
Though she had nothing left to prove—boasting 82 World Cup victories and an Olympic gold medal—Vonn returned to racing with fire in her heart and skis under her feet. Despite the long layoff and physical demands of high-level alpine competition, the 39-year-old Vonn managed to finish the 2024–25 season ranked 29th in the world. She capped off her comeback with a stunning second-place finish in the super-G at the World Cup Finals in March, a result that sent shockwaves through the sport and solidified her nomination for the comeback honor.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect coming back after all these years,” Vonn shared in a recent interview. “But I missed the mountains, I missed competing, and I missed the adrenaline. This season was about pushing myself and proving that passion and determination don’t have an expiration date.”
This year’s nomination adds to Vonn’s already impressive ESPY history. She has previously won four ESPY Awards across multiple categories, including Best Female Athlete, Best Female Olympian, and Best Moment. Her latest nod serves as both a recognition of her continued excellence and a celebration of her return to the sport she helped elevate.
The ESPYs will also spotlight other remarkable athletes across a variety of categories. Notably, Noah Elliott of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team is nominated for Best Athlete with a Disability. Elliott had a dominant season, securing the overall FIS parasnowboard Crystal Globe—an achievement that highlights his talent and determination.
As July 16 approaches, fans of Lindsey Vonn and winter sports in general will be watching closely. Whether she takes home the award or not, her comeback already stands as one of the most powerful stories in sports this year. It’s a reminder that greatness doesn’t retire—it simply takes on new forms, and sometimes, it makes a breathtaking return.