Olympic skiing legend Lindsey Vonn was airlifted from the Tofane slope Sunday after a terrifying high-speed crash during the women’s downhill at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but the 41-year-old American star has pushed back firmly against critics questioning her decision to compete with a torn ACL.
Vonn hooked a gate with her right arm just 13 seconds into her run, lost control, and tumbled violently down the course. Medical teams attended to her on the snow before she was helicoptered to a hospital in Treviso, where surgeons stabilized a complex tibia fracture in her left leg — the same limb injured in a World Cup crash nine days earlier that ruptured her ACL.
In a candid Instagram statement Monday, Vonn addressed the debate head-on: “My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever.” She attributed the incident to a precise error — being “5 inches too tight on my line” — and emphasized that the knee brace and prior damage played no role in the gate hook or fall.
“Yesterday my Olympic dream did not finish the way I dreamt it would,” she wrote. “It wasn’t a story book ending, but I tried. I dreamt. I jumped.” Despite the injury requiring multiple future surgeries, Vonn declared “no regrets,” framing her participation as a fulfillment of a long-held comeback dream after retirement and major knee issues.
The crash has divided opinions in the skiing community, with some praising her warrior mentality and others raising concerns about racing on a compromised knee at age 41. Vonn’s supporters point to her unmatched resume — three Olympic medals, 82 World Cup wins — as proof of her resilience.
As she begins recovery, Vonn’s defiance underscores a career defined by pushing limits. The alpine world watches closely for updates on her rehabilitation, while her words inspire fans: a true fighter refusing to back down.
