U.S. alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn endured a frightening crash during the women’s downhill World Cup event on January 30, 2026, leaving her with a left knee injury and casting uncertainty over her participation in the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
The 41-year-old, donning the red bib as the current downhill discipline leader, lost control shortly after a compression jump on the Mont Lachaux course amid poor visibility. She slammed into the safety nets at high speed, remaining tangled and down for several minutes before rising. Grimacing and clearly in discomfort, Vonn clutched her left knee as she slowly skied to the finish area, where she was met by cheers from the crowd before entering a medical tent.
Medical staff airlifted her to a hospital for immediate evaluation, with U.S. Ski and Snowboard confirming she is undergoing assessments. Vonn was the third skier to fall after only six had started—following crashes by Austria’s Nina Ortlieb and Norway’s Marte Monsen—prompting officials to cancel the race due to unsafe low-light conditions and ongoing weather issues. The women’s schedule resumes Saturday with the Super-G at 11:00.
The atmosphere at the event was somber, with organizers removing advertisements and displaying multilingual signs honoring victims of a tragic New Year’s Day fire.
Vonn, known as the “Speed Queen,” has staged an inspiring return to competition after a six-year retirement and 2024 knee replacement surgery on her right side. This season, she’s dominated the downhill circuit with podium finishes in all five races and prior wins at Crans-Montana (most recently in 2010). She’s slated for three events at the Olympics, including the downhill on February 8 at Tofane, where she holds a record 12 World Cup victories.
In a resilient Instagram update posted soon after, Vonn shared: “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. This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics… but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback. My Olympic dream is not over.”
She expressed deep gratitude to fans, medical personnel, and sent heartfelt support to fellow injured skier Marte Monsen.
As of January 31, 2026, no detailed diagnosis has been released, and her Olympic status hinges on ongoing medical results. Vonn’s history of overcoming adversity keeps hope alive among fans and the skiing community—updates are expected as more information becomes available.
Stay tuned for developments from official sources like Olympics.com, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, or Vonn’s social channels. Speedy recovery wishes to the legend! ❤️💪
