Lindsey Vonn’s Father Comments on Her Injury

On Monday, Alan Kildow shared his thoughts about his daughter Lindsey Vonn’s recent accident during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games, suggesting that this might signal the end of her skiing career. Vonn suffered a leg injury during the final run of the women’s alpine ski downhill event, which resulted in her being airlifted from the slopes.

Kildow expressed his hope that, as her father, he has some influence over her decision to retire. “She’s 41 years old, and this is the end of her career,” he remarked. He stressed that—barring any further input—there wouldn’t be more races for her.

While he chose not to elaborate on her injuries, Kildow did mention how she is handling the situation. “She’s a very strong person,” he reflected. “She understands physical pain and knows how to cope.” He acknowledged that her recovery is progressing better than he anticipated.

Despite her torn anterior cruciate ligament, Vonn was attempting to secure a medal in one of the Olympics’ fastest events. Kildow recounted the anxiety he felt as he witnessed the crash unfold, noting how traumatic such events can be. “It’s just scary to think about the repercussions of such an impact,” he said. He reassured that Vonn is under excellent medical care from dedicated professionals.

Kildow speculated that her crash may have stemmed from her pushing her limits rather than being solely due to her ACL injury. Currently, Vonn is recovering in a hospital in Treviso, Italy, where she has previously celebrated numerous successes—holding a record 12 World Cup wins in Cortina. She returned to skiing last year after a six-year break and had shown no signs of slowing down.

Looking ahead, Kildow confirmed that Vonn plans to head home and will not participate in Olympic events to support her teammates.