Lindsey Vonn’s heroic attempt at Olympics immortality ended in devastating agony.
Vonn, 41, crashed during her women’s downhill run at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday, February 8, which came just nine days after she completely tore her ACL.
The crash happened 13 seconds into the American skier’s run. Vonn could be heard screaming in agony while being attended to by medical staff on the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Vonn was eventually airlifted off the course by a helicopter, a similar scene to the one that played out on January 30 when she tore her ACL during a World Cup Race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
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“Lindsey Vonn sustained an injury, but is in stable condition and in good hands with a team of American and Italian physicians,” the U.S. Ski & Snowboard team said in a statement on Sunday.
In a photo captured by Associated Press photographer Jacquelyn Martin, Vonn’s right ski pole can be seen clipping a gate, which led to the crash.
The day before the event, Vonn defended competing despite her injury in a response to sports medicine doctor Brian Sutterer.
“lol thanks doc,” Vonn posted via X on Saturday, February 7. “My ACL was fully functioning until last Friday. Just because it seems impossible to you doesn’t mean it’s not possible. And yes, my ACL is 100% ruptured. Not 80% or 50%. It’s 100% gone.”
Vonn also called out USA Today‘s Greg Graber on Saturday, who wrote a column questioning why Vonn was competing with a torn ACL.
“I’m sorry Greg but this is a very odd opinion piece,” Vonn wrote via X. “The pain and suffering is the point? I’m searching for meaning? Why am I taking risk “at my age?” This ageism stuff is getting really old.”
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She continued, “My life does not revolve around ski racing. I am a woman that loves to ski. I don’t have an identity issue, I know exactly who I am. I was retired for 6 years and I have an amazing life. I don’t need to ski, but I love to ski. I came all this way for one final Olympics and I’m going to go and do my best, ACL or no. It’s as simple as that. And respectfully, if you don’t know the story, it might be best not to make assumptions.”
Vonn revealed she had completely torn her ACL on Tuesday, February 3, but vowed to see through her Olympic comeback, which came after she announced her return to the sport in November 2024.
“Well… I completely tore my ACL last Friday,” Vonn shared via Instagram. “I also sustained a bone bruise (which is a common injury when you tear your ACL), plus meniscal tears but it’s unclear how much of that was there previously and what was new from the crash. This was obviously incredibly hard news to receive one week before the Olympics. I really appreciate everyone giving me time and space to process what happened and find a way forward.”
She continued, “After extensive consultations with doctors, intense therapy, physical tests as well as skiing today, I have determined I am capable of competing in the Olympic Downhill on Sunday. Of course I will still need to do one training run, as is required to race on Sunday, but… I am confident in my body’s ability to perform. Despite my injuries my knee is stable, I do not have swelling and my muscles are firing and reacting as they should. I will obviously be continuing to evaluate with my medical team on a daily basis to make sure we are making smart decisions but I have every intention of competing on Sunday.”
