Skier Lindsey Vonn suffered an injury in her final downhill race before the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Friday, January 30. The crash occurred when she lost control while landing a jump, sending her into the safety nets on the side, according to The Associated Press.
After receiving medical attention, Vonn was able to get up and walk off on her own, but was clearly limping while keeping weight off her left knee. She was also using her poles to help keep her steady. Vonn then clipped back into her skies and made it to the finish area, having to stop a few times.
The outlet further added that Vonn was eventually “airlifted from the course for medical checks.”And with that, the race was ultimately canceled after Vonn’s crash, as three of the first six racers crashed.
Vonn’s injury also puts her status for the Olympics in question as her first race is the women’s downhill on Feb. 8. She is also set to compete in the super-G and the new team combined event. She is also set to make history as the oldest woman to ever compete in Alpine racing in Winter Olympics history.
Fans Show Support For Lindsey Vonn
“Wishing Lindsey Vonn a speedy recovery following her crash in Crans-Montana,” TNT Sports posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“This would be beyond devastating after what Lindsey Vonn has done in her comeback season. PLEASE don’t let it be anything serious,” one person wrote.
“Such an incredible comeback story sad to see her go through another injury … again,” another person said.
“Seeing a legend go down like this right before the Olympics is absolutely heartbreaking,” someone commented.
Lindsey Vonn Opened Up About Why She Decided To Return
GettyIn an interview with PEOPLE, Vonn opened up about why she decided to make her return to the Olympics at the age of 41. Especially after the skier has suffered multiple torn ACLs as well as tons of other injuries over the years. In 2024, she even had to get a partial titanium knee replacement, but that is what inspired her to get back into the competition.
“My body was so different,” she told PEOPLE. “I didn’t have any pain at all; my knee didn’t swell. I felt like I could do anything. The thought of ski racing again, something I loved to do so much, but without pain, was really exciting.
And with that, she was able to potentialy finish her career the way she wanted to.
“I built an amazing life and was really happy in retirement,” she added. “But I didn’t finish my career the way I wanted to. I was limping away when I wanted to finish strong.”
LETS ALL PRAY FOR Lindsey I KNOW IAM Go USA
She’s one tough cookie!