Lindsey Vonn crashes during Winter Olympics medal event
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Lindsey Vonn became the 13th skier to take to the women’s downhill alpine skiing circuit at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on Sunday, and her dreams of reaching the medal podium as she recovers from a devastating knee injury were dealt a major setback.
Vonn was entering the first sector when she crashed hard on the slopes. The crowd gasped as they accepted the deletion. When medical teams came to check on him, he was writhing in pain. A helicopter arrived to take Vonn off the mountain.
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Lindsey Vonn of the United States concentrates before the official training for alpine skiing women’s downhill at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
The Olympic legend was trying to medal in the event despite a devastating knee injury he suffered during the World Cup. He made it clear in subsequent social media posts that his ACL was “100% gone.”
An anterior cruciate ligament tear normally requires about a year of recovery, but Vonn planned to tackle it.
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American Lindsey Vonn crashed during the women’s downhill ski race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Sunday, February 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Spectators react after American Lindsey Vonn crashed during the women’s downhill alpine ski race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Sunday, February 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Spectators were stunned after American Lindsey Vonn crashed in the women’s Alpine ski race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Sunday, February 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
U.S. fans react after American Lindsey Vonn crashed in the women’s alpine ski race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
He made a stunning return to the sport last year after almost six years away from competition. His return came after a partial titanium prosthesis was placed on his right knee in 2024.
The Team USA legend is the second-most successful woman in World Cup history with 84 wins. He won eight World Championship medals.
Vonn won a gold medal in the downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, a bronze medal in the super-G, and a bronze medal in the downhill race at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games. He will want to add to his collection in Italy.
American Lindsey Vonn takes off by helicopter after crashing in the women’s downhill alpine ski race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Sunday, February 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
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She was also set to compete in the women’s Super-G but the accident could well rule her out of that event.
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