American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn came out of retirement for the 2026 Winter Olympics, despite tearing her ACL less than two weeks ago. Now she’s suffered a brutal crash just seconds into the final
Lindsey Vonn’s Winter Olympics dreams have been shattered after a horrific crash during the woman’s downhill final.
The 41-year-old skiing champion made an astonishing return to the slopes today, despite rupturing her ACL during training nine days ago. But her comeback has ended in disaster after she crashed just 13 seconds into her session.
Vonn flew over a hill and sped into one of the plastic markers on the side of the track before falling to the ground. The crowd fell silent as she was immediately surrounded by a team of medical professionals and a stretcher was brought out. In distressing scenes, the American Olympic star could be heard sobbing and looked to be in considerable pain.
Before today’s heartbreak, Vonn clinched her gold medal in the downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Games and has collected two bronze medals across her four previous Winter Olympics stints. She retired in 2019 but made a return in late 2024.
Away from the slopes, the Winter Olympic icon previously dated golfing titan Tiger Woods. Here’s a full look at Vonn’s journey as she crashes out of the Winter Games.
READ MORE: Lindsey Vonn left screaming in agony from brutal Winter Olympics ski crash
ACL injury
Vonn made her intention to participate at the Milan Cortina Games abundantly clear just days after her injury. The American was previously among the favourites to secure downhill gold and refused to give up on her dream.
“This is obviously not what I hoped for. I have been working really hard to come into these Games in a much different position,” she stated during a press conference before her training session. “I know what my chances were before the crash and I know that my chances aren’t the same as it stands now, but I know there is still a chance. As long as there is a chance, I’ll try. That’s where I am.”
After her training run on Friday, she chose not to speak with reporters. Nevertheless, her coach Aksel Lund Svindal hadn’t ruled out the possibility of Vonn overcoming her injury to claim a medal.
“From what I saw today I think she can,” he said. “There were reserves today. She looked symmetrical. You’ve seen earlier this season that when she skis well, she can win. It’s going to be hard but I think she could possibly bring that on Sunday.”
Romance with Tiger Woods
Vonn was previously wed to fellow Olympic skier Thomas Vonn from 2007 to 2013 and later had a relationship with ice hockey star P. K. Subban. However, her two-year romance with golfing legend Tiger Woods from 2013 to 2015 attracted the most public interest.
Despite their separation over a decade ago, Vonn has consistently backed Woods. “I mean… I was in love,” Vonn told Sports Illustrated in 2018 about their relationship. “I loved him and we’re still friends. Sometimes, I wish he would have listened to me a little more but he’s very stubborn and he likes to go his own way.”
A few years later, following Woods’ car accident injuries, Vonn told Entertainment Tonight: “We are friends and, of course, I’m happy that he is back and healthy. And, you know, it was a tough time for him. So I am just happy that he is back with his kids.”
The skiing champion had previously spoken about participating in the Milan Cortina Games as a single woman. “I have never been single going into any Olympics in my life,” she confessed to SELF. “So I’m excited to try that out. It’s been really nice to just be focused on myself.”
Wardrobe malfunction
Vonn was understandably taken aback after experiencing an awkard wardrobe malfunction at the ESPYs in July. In a break from her usual poise on the ski slopes, the 41-year-old found herself in an uncomfortable situation on the red carpet.
Vonn had dazzled in a glamorous strapless dress, featuring a slit extending up one leg to her hip. She later switched outfits after a gust of wind lifted her dress, revealing her underwear.
The Olympic gold medallist quickly tried to hold her dress in place. Later in the evening, Vonn was seen in a different sparkling silver ensemble, smiling alongside renowned gymnast Simone Biles.
Reason for retirement U-turn
After undergoing a partial titanium knee replacement in 2024, Vonn decided to reverse her retirement. The transformation she underwent gave her the confidence to return to skiing.
“My body was so different,” she told People. “I didn’t have any pain at all; my knee didn’t swell. I felt like I could do anything. The thought of ski racing again, something I loved to do so much, but without pain, was really exciting.
“I built an amazing life and was really happy in retirement but I didn’t finish my career the way I wanted to. I was limping away when I wanted to finish strong.”
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