CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland – Lindsey Vonn suffered a left knee injury on Friday during her final downhill race before the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Despite the setback, the 41-year-old American expressed her determination to recover in time for the Games, stating, “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.” Vonn shared her thoughts on Instagram hours after being airlifted from the course for medical evaluation, affirming, “My Olympic dream is not over.”
Vonn was the third skier to crash during the World Cup event in Crans-Montana when she lost control while landing a jump, becoming entangled in the safety nets high on the course. After receiving approximately five minutes of medical attention, she managed to stand, albeit with visible discomfort, and skied gradually to the finish line, stopping multiple times while clutching her injured knee.
In her Instagram post, Vonn detailed her crash and knee injury, mentioning that she would continue consultations with her doctors and undergo further examinations. The race was ultimately canceled due to the challenging conditions, which included low visibility and adverse weather. Following her injury, Vonn was transported to a medical facility via helicopter, appearing distressed upon her arrival.
The CEO of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, Urs Lehmann, reported to the media that he had spoken to Vonn and was uncertain about the severity of her injury. “I don’t know if it’s really heavy and she won’t miss the Olympics. Let’s wait for what the doctors are saying,” Lehmann remarked.
Vonn made headlines last season with a remarkable comeback at age 40 after nearly six years away from competitive skiing. Having undergone a procedure to implant a titanium device in her right knee, she emerged as a dominant force on the circuit this season, achieving two victories and three podium finishes out of five races. In total, she has participated in eight World Cup races this season, securing podium finishes in seven, with her lowest position being fourth.
This incident occurred just one week before the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Olympics. Vonn's first Olympic race is scheduled for February 8, where she will compete in the women's downhill event. Additionally, she is set to participate in the super-G and the newly introduced team combined event at the Olympics. Notably, Vonn holds a record of 12 World Cup victories at Cortina d’Ampezzo, making her a key athlete to watch during the upcoming Games.
Earlier in the day, Vonn was scheduled to compete in Crans-Montana in what would have been her last race prior to the Olympics. However, the event took a dangerous turn as Vonn was the sixth racer to compete that day. She had recorded the fastest time at the first checkpoint but lost her balance upon landing and attempted to regain control by raising her arm and pole. Unfortunately, she was unable to stabilize herself and veered into the safety nets.
Before Vonn’s crash, fellow competitors Nina Ortlieb from Austria and Marte Monsen from Norway also experienced crashes. Ortlieb crashed in the same vicinity as Vonn, while Monsen hit the nets closer to the finish line and required assistance to be removed from the course. Consequently, the race was delayed as officials assessed the situation, but two other racers, Jacqueline Wiles and Corinne Suter, managed to complete their runs.
Romane Miradoli of France, who was one of the first participants to ski, commented on the challenging conditions during the race, stating, “You can’t see, and it’s bumpy everywhere.” She further acknowledged the risky nature of the run due to poor visibility.
Vonn has experienced multiple injuries throughout her illustrious skiing career; a notable incident occurred during the 2013 world championships in Schladming, Austria, where she sustained a significant knee injury, resulting in her being airlifted from the course. This injury ultimately caused her to miss the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
The atmosphere in Crans-Montana was subdued during the races on Friday, as the local community mourns a tragic fire incident that occurred at a bar on New Year’s Day, claiming 40 lives and injuring more than 100 individuals. A minute of silence was held before the races, and the finish area was draped in black and white banners as a mark of respect for the victims, with the words, “Our thoughts are with you,” displayed in multiple languages.
