Lindsey Vonn still intends to ski at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and she took some inspiration from her late coach, Erich Sailer, to help get there.
“I know exactly what he would say,” wrote Vonn, 41, via her Instagram Story on Monday, February 2 over a photo at Sailer’s grave. “Just wish he was here to say it.”
Sailer died in September 2025 at age 99 after decades mentoring Vonn and other Olympic hopefuls.
Vonn’s post comes days after she crashed and was airlifted off the course during a World Cup Race in Switzerland.
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“I crashed today in the Downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee,” Vonn shared via Instagram on Friday, January 30. “I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams. This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics…but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback.”
She continued, “My Olympic dream is not over. Thank you for all of the love and support. I will give more information when I have it. Thank you to all the medical staff who helped me today. I am grateful for all the incredible help I received.”
Despite injuring her left knee in the crash, her current coach, Chris Knight, told the Associated Press in a story published Saturday, January 31, that Vonn is still preparing for the Olympics.
“No she is not racing today but preparing for Cortina as usual,” he wrote in a text message.
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After announcing her retirement in 2019, Vonn made the decision to return in November 2024 and compete in the 2026 Olympics — after consulting with Sailer.
“Yesterday my coach passed away. It’s hard to put into words how much of an impact Erich Sailer had on my life but I will try,” she wrote via Instagram after he died. “Erich was more than my ski coach. More than my father’s ski coach. Erich was my family. My father has known him for 62 years and he has been a part of my life since I was born. There is no doubt that I would not be the person or skier I am today without him.”
She continued, “The entire ski racing community would not be the same without him. He single handedly did more for skiing than any other coach in America and perhaps the world. Even from the small but mighty Buck Hill, Minnesota-which he put on the map as a premier racing program.”
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Vonn added that she intended to “celebrate” her former coach by getting back to work “doing what we love to do: ski.”
“Erich… I will try to make my last turns in ski racing fast for you… I will try to make them mean something more for you,” she added. “You always believed in me… even now, at 40. Your passion and love for skiing was the same as when I was a kid. I’m so thankful I got to see you this summer. Thankful to hear that belief in me one last time. I will use that when I’m in the starting gate this last season but also for the rest of my life. I will never forget you. Never.”
Vonn concluded her heartfelt note by mentioning her mother, Linda Krohn, who died in 2022 of ALS.
“Ich liebe dich Erich. Give my Mom a hug up there for me,” she concluded. “Until we meet again.”
