As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics kick off, all eyes remain on skiing legend Lindsey Vonn, whose improbable comeback has taken an dramatic turn. Despite suffering a complete rupture of her left ACL in a crash during a World Cup downhill just days before the Games, the 41-year-old American icon is determined to compete—and her U.S. Alpine teammates are firmly in her corner.
Fellow Olympians training in Cortina expressed unwavering confidence in Vonn’s ability to push through the injury and take to the start gate for the women’s downhill event. “If anyone can come back from this, if anyone could do it, it’s Lindsey,” said teammate Isabella Wright during a gym session with the U.S. squad. Jacqueline Wiles, who has shared the slopes with Vonn, echoed the sentiment, calling her “definitely one of the toughest.”
The praise comes amid widespread awe at Vonn’s resilience. The three-time Olympic medalist (including gold in downhill at Vancouver 2010) retired in 2019 due to chronic knee issues, only to stage a stunning return following partial knee replacement surgery in 2024. She qualified for her fifth Olympics and aimed to cap her career in Cortina d’Ampezzo—a venue with personal significance after her emotional farewell race there in 2019.
Vonn’s crash on January 30 in Crans-Montana left her with a torn ACL, meniscus damage, and bone bruising, injuries that typically sideline athletes for months. Yet in a press conference earlier this week, she declared her intention to race: “I’m not letting this slip through my fingers. I’m gonna do it. End of story.” She emphasized her self-belief, stating, “I know my body very well… It doesn’t matter to me if everyone thinks maybe I can’t do this with no ACL, but I still believe in myself.”
To back up her words, Vonn posted a video of an intense gym workout featuring squats, box jumps, and other high-impact exercises on her injured knee, captioning it with a defiant “Keep believing.” Teammates note that her history of overcoming setbacks—from multiple knee surgeries to fractures—sets her apart. “She’s been through it more than anyone,” Wiles added.
While Vonn has acknowledged that her podium chances are diminished, she insists there’s still “a chance,” and she’s willing to risk everything for one final Olympic run. With the women’s downhill scheduled soon, the skiing world watches to see if the veteran’s grit will defy medical odds once more.
Vonn’s story has already inspired fans and athletes alike, proving that age, injury, and doubt are no match for sheer determination. As one teammate put it: she’s not just competing—she’s redefining what’s possible.
