Lindsey Vonn has had to miss her first race just a day after injuring her left knee in a serious crash while competing.
The 41-year-old athlete announced her withdrawal from the super-G in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Saturday. She shared a video of her fall via an Instagram post.
“Unfortunately, I will not be able to race today. I wish all my teammates a great race,” she posted, seemingly disappointed. This was intended to be the last competition before the 2026 Winter Olympics. “Thank you for all the love and support I’ve received. It means a lot to me,” she added.
Vonn also said, “Do your best now…” along with a hands and fingers crossed emoji.
She was among three athletes who had to be airlifted after crashing during Friday’s World Cup event, which was part of the run-up to next week’s Winter Olympics in Cortina.
Regarded as one of the greatest skiers of all time, Vonn has won three Olympic medals and two golds at the World Championships. She holds the distinction of being the only American woman to clinch an Olympic gold in downhill skiing.
In the crash on Friday, Vonn collided with a red safety net while navigating the course.
The crash occurred just a week before what was anticipated to be her final Olympic appearance. However, she hasn’t completely ruled out the possibility of competing despite her injury.
“I’ve discussed the situation with my doctors and team and will undergo further tests,” Vonn noted in a subsequent Instagram post. “This is a very hard outcome just before the Olympics… but if there’s one thing I have to do, it’s to come back. My Olympic dream isn’t over yet. Thank you so much for your love and support. We’ll provide updates when we have more information.”
The crash was alarming, as Vonn lost control on a turn, briefly went airborne, and then got tangled in the net after hitting the ground.
She is slated to compete in the women’s downhill on February 8, in addition to the super-G and team combined events after the Olympics start. Yet, everything remains uncertain.
The aftermath of her crash saw her being airlifted by two doctors from the mountainous site.
After announcing her retirement in 2019, she is now trying to make a comeback.
Throughout her career, Vonn has faced several injuries, particularly to her knees. She underwent knee replacement surgery in 2024, during which a piece of titanium was put in her right knee.
It’s still unclear if she’ll be able to test her skills against the best athletes in the world again.
