Lindsey Vonn, the celebrated gold medal skier, was anticipated to be a key highlight at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics. However, a recent incident has put those plans in jeopardy.
During a World Cup event in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, the 41-year-old athlete lost control and crashed into a safety barrier, injuring her left knee just a week before the opening ceremony in Milan, Italy. The crash was shocking, requiring her to be airlifted from the scene.
“This is a very difficult result one week before the Olympics,” Vonn shared on Instagram.
This setback is particularly disheartening for an elite athlete who has been recovering from right knee replacement surgery and who retired voluntarily in 2019.
Yet, Vonn remains optimistic, stating, “If there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback.” Sources suggest her determination is remarkable.
“Based on the reports we’re hearing, we think she’s going to play,” a representative from NBC commented. “Lindsay is a star… She’s been in the game for 24 years and has faced the Olympics before. We won’t overlook her.”
Vonn aims to make history as the oldest woman to compete in an alpine event at the Winter Olympics, with her race scheduled for February 9, two days post-opening ceremony.
After the crash, she was seen in visible pain. The weather conditions had also led to the cancellation of the race, with other competitors facing difficulties that day.
Teammate Mikayla Shiffrin, along with notable figures like Simone Biles and Billie Jean King, reached out to Vonn with words of encouragement. “Get your act together, don’t be a Debbie Downer,” a friend relayed, emphasizing her need for positive energy from those close to her.
Despite the injury, Vonn insists she’ll fight through. “She will probably seek treatment after the Olympics,” a friend noted, emphasizing her lifelong passion for skiing.
Hailing from Buck Hill, Minnesota, Vonn was introduced to skiing at just two years old, thanks to her father, Alan Kildow, a junior national champion.
At age 12, she moved to Vail, Colorado to pursue her career and made her Olympic debut at 17 during the Salt Lake City Games in 2002. Vonn boasts an impressive record of 82 World Cup wins and was the first American woman to clinch a gold medal in downhill at the 2010 Olympics.
Throughout her career, Vonn has endured numerous injuries and setbacks, including a knee injury that kept her from the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Each time, her mother, who faced her own challenges, inspired her to return to skiing.
In 2019, after suffering a severe knee injury, Vonn announced her retirement, reflecting on the challenges of leaving competitive skiing without achieving all her goals.
Her post-retirement journey has seen her establish a production company and launch a line of ski wear and goggles. Yet, her competitive spirit remains fierce.
Vonn has acknowledged the struggle of transitioning from competition to retirement: “I built a great life… But I didn’t end my career the way I wanted.” The temptation of returning to the Olympics is compelling, especially since she has roots in Cortina, where she first gained recognition.
Looking ahead, Vonn has expressed a desire to embrace this solo experience at the Olympics. She has been open about her relationships, including her marriage to skier Thomas Vonn and her time with golfer Tiger Woods, acknowledging the complexities of her personal life.
In December, Vonn marked a triumphant return by winning a race in St. Moritz, an emotional moment for her and her family. Now, facing another challenge, she remains steadfast in her determination to succeed.
“She’s not normal,” a friend commented, underscoring Vonn’s deep connection to the sport. “How can she stop? She doesn’t want that. That’s Lindsey’s story.”
