As the women’s downhill race looms at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, U.S. alpine skiing sensation Mikaela Shiffrin is voicing pure admiration and anticipation for her teammate Lindsey Vonn’s extraordinary comeback.
Vonn, the 41-year-old legend and three-time Olympic medalist, is set to compete Sunday morning despite a complete rupture of her left ACL sustained just over a week ago in a World Cup crash. The injury—confirmed as 100% torn, along with bone bruising and meniscal damage—hasn’t deterred the veteran skier, who has powered through training runs with a supportive brace and posted competitive times, including third-fastest in the final session.
Shiffrin, the most decorated alpine skier in history with over 108 World Cup victories, shared her thoughts during a recent media appearance in Cortina. “I’m so excited to watch—I think we all are—her tenacity and grit, and what she’s showing up with this Olympics, staying true to her own values. That’s straight-up beautiful,” she told reporters at a VISA event on Saturday.
The double Olympic gold medalist (2014 slalom, 2018 giant slalom) plans to spend her recovery day glued to the broadcast, cheering on Vonn and the rest of Team USA. “I have a lot of belief,” Shiffrin added, highlighting her confidence in Vonn’s ability to deliver despite the odds.
The mutual respect between the two American stars is evident: Vonn un-retired in late 2024 to chase one more Olympic moment, dominating World Cup downhills before the injury, while Shiffrin continues her pursuit of more hardware in slalom, giant slalom, and the team combined event.
Vonn’s determination has captivated fans and sparked widespread inspiration, with her “Built to keep going” mantra echoing across social media. Starting 13th in the field, she eyes a historic podium finish that would make her the oldest alpine medalist ever at these Games.
As the clock ticks toward the 5:30 AM ET start (live on USA Network and Peacock), Shiffrin’s endorsement underscores the emotional weight of the moment—not just for medals, but for resilience, teamwork, and the unbreakable spirit of elite athletes.
Tune in Sunday morning: When legends like Vonn charge forward on one good knee, the world watches in awe. 🇺🇸⛷️
