American ski legend Lindsey Vonn suffered a heavy crash in the women’s downhill at the Winter Olympics, just nine days after rupturing her left anterior cruciate ligament.
The 41-year-old had completed two training runs on the iconic Olimpia delle Tofane course in Cortina without issue, but her race ended early after she fell heavily midway through her descent.
Vonn required prolonged medical attention on the slope before being airlifted from the piste, prompting concern among spectators and officials alike.
Her decision to compete had already been regarded as a major risk, having sustained the ACL injury in Switzerland at the final World Cup race before the Games. However, Vonn was determined to race at what she has described as her final Olympic appearance.
As the helicopter carried her away, stunned fans in the stands applauded in tribute to a skier who has enjoyed immense success on the Cortina slopes, where 12 of her 84 World Cup victories were recorded.
Vonn was the 13th skier to start the downhill, and the length of treatment following her fall caused a significant delay to the competition.
She had appeared relaxed and confident during training, with coach Aksel Lund Svindal saying earlier in the week that he believed Vonn was capable of producing something special despite the circumstances.
Renowned for her resilience, Vonn retired in 2019 as the most decorated female skier of all time after battling numerous serious leg injuries, before making a surprise return in 2024 following a partial knee replacement in her right knee.
Strong form during the 2025–26 season, which saw her reach the podium in all five races and claim two wins, had made her a contender in Cortina.
This latest crash, however, has cast serious doubt over whether Vonn will be able to compete at the elite level again.
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