In a moment that’s already inspiring millions, skiing icon Lindsey Vonn stood on the iconic Olympia delle Tofane course Saturday, carefully inspecting every gate, jump, and turn alongside her U.S. teammates ahead of the women’s Olympic downhill.
Just nine days after a devastating crash in Crans-Montana left her with a ruptured ACL in her left knee—plus bone bruising and meniscus damage—the 41-year-old legend showed no signs of backing down. Sporting a large brace on her injured knee and her signature determination, Vonn walked the course with focus, chatting strategy with her support crew in the crisp Italian alpine air.
This isn’t just any pre-race walkthrough. For Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist (including downhill gold in Vancouver 2010) and the most decorated female skier in history, it’s the culmination of an improbable comeback. After retiring in 2019, undergoing a partial titanium knee replacement in her right knee in 2024, and returning to competition last season, she dominated early World Cup downhills this year—posting podiums in all five races before the injury threatened to end it all.
Yet here she is, at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, turning what could have been a career-ending setback into one of the most dramatic stories in sports.
Photos from the inspection capture Vonn in her Team USA gear—white helmet, blue-and-red suit emblazoned with stars—studying the snow-covered slope under overcast skies. Her coach, Aksel Lund Svindal, and teammates like Breezy Johnson (who topped recent training runs) were by her side, offering insights on lines and jumps on this famed, demanding course where Vonn holds the record of 12 World Cup wins.
Vonn has already tested the knee in two strong official training runs, finishing third in the latest session and pumping her fist in celebration. “All good,” she told reporters afterward, exuding confidence despite the odds stacked against her—age, bilateral knee issues, and a fresh ACL tear.
The women’s downhill race kicks off Sunday morning, with Vonn starting in the middle pack. Fans worldwide are watching to see if this Hollywood-worthy comeback ends on the podium—or simply with the unbreakable spirit that has defined her career.
Whatever happens, Lindsey Vonn’s presence here is a reminder: Legends don’t quit. They inspect the course, brace up, and go for it.
Stay tuned for live updates from Cortina—history could be made today. 🇺🇸⛷️
