Vonn Injures Knee in Crash One Week Before Olympics

Lindsey Vonn crashed during a downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday, injuring her left knee just one week before the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics begin. The 41-year-old American skier lost control after landing a jump, tangled in the safety nets, and needed medical help on the slope before skiing slowly to the finish and getting airlifted to a hospital.

Background

Vonn came back to competitive skiing in 2024 after retiring in 2019 because of injuries. She had a partial knee replacement on her right knee last year and has a titanium implant there now. This season, she won two downhill races and finished on the podium in every one, leading the World Cup standings in that event.

She planned to race in the women's downhill, super-G, and team event at the Olympics. The downhill starts two days after the opening ceremony on February 6. Cortina d'Ampezzo, where the women's alpine events will happen, is a place where Vonn has won 12 World Cup races out of her record 84 career victories.

Vonn has dealt with big injuries before. In 2013, she tore ligaments in her right knee at the world championships and missed the Sochi Olympics in 2014. She still came back strong, winning medals in 2010 and 2018.

The Crans-Montana race was her last chance to tune up before the Games. Snow was falling, and visibility was low. Several skiers crashed before her, including Norwegian Marte Monsen, who also hurt her knee. The race got canceled after the crashes.

Key Details

Vonn was the sixth skier to start. She lost control right after a jump near the top of the course. She spun into the nets and stayed down for almost five minutes while medics checked her. She stood up, leaned on her poles, and limped down the hill to the finish. She stopped a few times and looked to be in pain, especially in her left knee.

At the bottom, she hugged teammate Jacqueline Wiles before going into a medical tent. A helicopter then took her to the hospital for more checks. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team said she fell and was getting evaluated.

Vonn's Own Words

Vonn posted an update on Instagram from the medical team.

"I crashed today in the Downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee. I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams. One week before the Olympics, this is a very difficult outcome. But if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback. My Olympic dream is not over."

She thanked fans for their support and the medical staff who helped her on the hill. She also wished Marte Monsen well after her crash.

Monsen, 26, went to the hospital too. Her team's doctor said she has knee pain but no breaks in her head, face, or elsewhere so far. She was in good spirits and heading back to her hotel before going to Norway for more tests over the weekend.

Aksel Lund Svindal, a former Olympic champion and part of Vonn's coaching staff, spoke to reporters. He said the physio checked her on site and things looked okay at first, but they wanted hospital scans to be sure.

"She has some pain so it's better to have some checks," Svindal said. "The physio did some checks, they seemed OK, but there were things he was not 100% sure so it was good to have it checked."

What This Means

Vonn's injury puts her Olympic plans in doubt. Doctors need to see the full extent of the knee damage before saying if she can race. The downhill is her best event, and she wanted to add to her three Olympic medals there.

Her comeback story drew a lot of attention. At 41, she is one of the oldest skiers on the World Cup tour, but her results showed she was still at the top. Missing the Games would be a blow after her strong season.

The U.S. team has other strong downhillers like Jacqueline Wiles, but Vonn was the leader and the face of their effort. Her absence could change how they prepare for the events in Cortina.

For the sport, the crashes highlight the risks in downhill, especially in bad weather. Crans-Montana has steep sections and big jumps that test even top skiers. Organizers canceled the race to keep everyone safe.

Vonn's history of comebacks gives hope. She has raced through pain before and knows her body well. Her team will watch her recovery closely over the next days. Updates will come as scans show more.

Fans filled social media with messages after her post. Many recalled her past recoveries and wished her luck. The Olympics start soon, and all eyes will be on whether she makes it to the start line.

The Milan Cortina Games mark Italy's second Winter Olympics after 2006 in Turin. Alpine skiing events in Cortina will draw big crowds to the Dolomites. Vonn has said before that racing there would be special because of her success at the venue.

Her status stays unclear for now. She plans to share more once she talks with doctors. The week ahead will decide if she skis in her final Olympic chance.