CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY — In one of the most dramatic and emotional moments of the 2026 Winter Olympics, American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn suffered a terrifying crash during the women’s Olympic downhill final in Cortina d’Ampezzo on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
The 41-year-old skiing icon, who came out of retirement to make a stunning Olympic comeback, had already shocked the skiing world by racing despite a recently ruptured ACL in her left knee — an injury most athletes would never dare to compete with.
🏁 What Happened in the Race?
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Vonn pushed out of the start gate and looked strong for the first few seconds.
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Just 13 seconds into her downhill run, she clipped a gate, lost control, and was launched violently off course.
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The fall was severe — she was responsive but in pain, and medics stopped the race to attend to her.
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Vonn was placed on a stretcher and airlifted by helicopter from the mountain for further evaluation.
Spectators at the Tofane course and millions watching worldwide were left in stunned silence as the helicopter carried her away — a powerful reminder of how unforgiving downhill skiing can be.
🦵 Why It Matters: The ACL Injury Backstory
Just nine days before the Olympics began, Vonn had crashed during a World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, severely injuring her left ACL and suffering bone bruises and possible meniscal tears. Rather than withdraw, she bravely decided to continue and compete in her final Olympic downhill.
Her determination to race despite such a significant injury captivated fans around the world — but unfortunately, it also made a tough challenge even tougher.
🥇 A Bittersweet Day for Team USA
While Vonn’s Olympic dream came to a heartbreaking end, her U.S. teammate Breezy Johnson went on to win the gold medal in the women’s downhill event, giving Team USA its first gold of the 2026 Games.
🩺 Lindsey Vonn’s Condition — Update
At the time of the crash:
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Vonn was airlifted to a hospital for medical evaluation.
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No detailed official medical update has been released yet on the full extent of additional injuries from Sunday’s crash.
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Her Olympic downhill attempt has ended, and it’s unclear if she will compete in upcoming events like Super-G or team combined.
Fans worldwide are sending messages of support, hoping the skiing legend makes a full recovery.
🏆 The Legacy of a Champion
Lindsey Vonn is one of the most decorated alpine skiers in history — with three Olympic medals, 82 World Cup wins, and legendary status in downhill skiing.
Her return to the Olympics at age 41, after multiple surgeries and a long retirement, was already one of the most inspiring stories of the 2026 Winter Games — and even though it ended in a crash, her comeback spirit continues to inspire athletes and fans around the world.
