Lindsey Vonn Injured in Crash Ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics
Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn faced a serious setback in her anticipated return to professional skiing. The 41-year-old athlete crashed during her final World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, just a week before the upcoming 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Lindsey Vonn’s Incident Details
During the race, Vonn lost control while landing a jump and became entangled in safety nets. Medical personnel attended to her for five minutes before she cautiously made her way to the finish line, visibly favoring her left knee. Due to poor visibility, the race was ultimately canceled following her accident.
Medical Evaluation and Uncertain Olympic Participation
After the incident, Vonn was airlifted by helicopter for further medical evaluation, raising concerns about her participation in the Olympics. Urs Lehmann, the CEO of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, confirmed her knee injury, stating, “I don’t know if it’s really heavy and [if] she won’t miss the Olympics.” This uncertainty leaves her status for the Winter Games in question.
Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic Legacy
Lindsey Vonn’s return from retirement was one of the main highlights for the U.S. Olympic team heading into the Milan Cortina Games. She was set to join fellow American skier Mikaela Shiffrin as a prominent figure in the U.S. alpine skiing squad. Vonn initially retired in 2019 due to chronic knee injuries but made a comeback announcement in 2024 after undergoing a partial knee replacement.
Achievements and Impact on Coverage
Vonn ranks second in all-time World Cup victories with 84 wins, only behind Shiffrin’s record of 108. Her potential absence from the Olympics could have a significant impact on network broadcasters, who have prominently featured her return in promotional materials.
- Olympic Achievements:
- Gold medal in downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Games
- Bronze medal in super-G at the 2010 Vancouver Games
- Bronze medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics
- World Cup Titles: Four overall titles
- World Championship Medals: Eight medals
Reflecting on the accident, Vonn acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating on Instagram, “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.”
The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are set to run through February 22, with Vonn’s participation now hanging in the balance.
