No roadblock is big enough to stop Lindsey Vonn. The three-time Olympic medalist is pressing forward, determined not to let another injury shatter her Olympic dream.
On Tuesday, Vonn shared a candid update, confirming she plans to compete in the downhill event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, even after suffering a complete ACL rupture in a recent World Cup crash.
Why Vonn Isn’t Letting Her World Cup Crash Stop Her
GettyAs per the official press release, the 41-year-old was injured on Friday during the Alpine Ski World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. She lost control after a jump, crashed into a safety net, and immediately favored her left leg. Vonn was later airlifted to a hospital for further evaluation.
Despite the setback, she remains focused on the task ahead. Training runs for the women’s downhill are scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, leading into Sunday’s race. Vonn says she fully intends to be in the starting gate.
Inside Vonn’s Instagram Update on Her Injury
Vonn shared a detailed update with fans on Instagram, revealing the extent of her injuries and the difficult decision she faced just days before the Olympics.
“Well… I completely tore my ACL last Friday. 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,” she wrote.
“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.”
GettyAfter consulting with doctors and undergoing extensive therapy and testing, Vonn said she believes she can still race.
“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,” she said.
“Despite my injuries, my knee is stable, I do not have swelling, and my muscles are firing and reacting as they should.”
She added that daily evaluations with her medical team will continue, but she made her intentions clear. “I have every intention of competing on Sunday.”
VIDEO: What Vonn Told Reporters About Competing Through Injury
Speaking with reporters, Vonn was clear-eyed about the challenge ahead. She acknowledged that her odds have shifted since the crash, but said walking away was never an option.
“I know what my chances were before the crash and I know my chances aren’t the same as it stands today,” she said.
“But I know there’s still a chance, and as long as there’s a chance, I will try.”
The Olympic champion stressed that she is not in pain and is approaching the days ahead with focus and caution.
“I am not letting this slip through my fingers,” Vonn said. “I’m not crying. My head is high, I’m standing tall and I’m going to do my best and whatever the result is.”
For now, her attention remains on Sunday’s downhill race. She stopped short of confirming whether she will also compete in the Super-G event scheduled for Feb. 12.
“I have to see how it feels. If it’s stable and I feel confident, I’ll continue to race,” she said. “I can’t tell you that answer until I actually ski 80 mph, and then I’ll tell you.”
A Career Defined by Comebacks and Championships
No hurdle has ever been big enough to stop Vonn for long.
After years defined by injury and recovery, she retired from competitive skiing in February 2019 (as reported by the Guardian), only to announce a determined return in November 2024 (as confirmed by NBC Sports).
Before Friday’s crash, that comeback was building real momentum.
Entering the World Cup race in Switzerland, Vonn sat atop the women’s downhill standings, holding a 144-point lead over second-place Emma Aicher.
Her Olympic résumé speaks for itself. Vonn last competed at the Winter Games in 2018, earning downhill bronze in PyeongChang. She captured downhill gold and super-G bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Games.
According to ESPN, when she stepped away from the sport, Vonn was the most successful woman in alpine skiing history, with 82 World Cup victories, a record later surpassed by Mikaela Shiffrin.
Her path has not been easy. Vonn’s career has included torn ligaments, multiple fractures, and a knee replacement surgery in April 2024.
Still, she believes her late coach and mentor, Erich Sailer, would stand firmly behind her decision to race. “He would say, ‘It’s only 90 seconds. What’s 90 seconds in a lifetime? It’s nothing, you can do it,’” she said.
Now, as she prepares for what could be her final Olympic appearance, Vonn remains both realistic and resolute. “I think I’m still able to fight, and I will do everything in my power to be in that starting gate,” she told the press on February 3.
Win or lose, Vonn’s decision to race stands as a testament to her grit and refusal to surrender her dream.
The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will run from Feb. 6 to Feb. 22, 2026, with events hosted across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
