Julia Mancuso Makes a Comeback After Hip Surgery

Two-time Olympic medalist Julia Mancuso is making a comeback to World Cup skiing after 22 months.

The 33-year-old American underwent hip surgery in March 2017 and has been working hard to get back in shape.

Mancuso made her return to World Cup competition in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria, on January 12, 2019, and finished 22nd in the downhill race. She followed that up with a 17th-place finish in the super-G race the next day.

"It's been a long road back, but I'm so happy to be back racing," Mancuso said. "I'm still not 100 percent, but I'm getting there."

Mancuso won two Olympic medals in 2006, a gold medal in the giant slalom and a bronze medal in the downhill. She also has four World Championship medals, including a gold medal in the downhill in 2013.

Mancuso is hoping to make the U.S. team for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. She will need to perform well in the remaining World Cup races to earn a spot on the team.

Mancuso is an inspiration to many people, both on and off the slopes. She is a role model for young skiers and she shows that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.