American alpine skiing icon Lindsey Vonn is facing her toughest comeback yet, just days before the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The 41-year-old crashed hard during a World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on January 30, slamming into safety nets and injuring her left knee in poor visibility conditions that led to the race being halted.
Airlifted to hospital for evaluation, Vonn shared a raw update on Instagram: “I crashed today in the Downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee… 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 skipped the following Super-G event to focus on recovery and support her teammates, posting emotionally: “Doing my best right now.”
Amid the uncertainty, Vonn sought solace in her roots. On February 2, she visited the grave of her lifelong coach and mentor, Erich Sailer—who died in August 2025 at age 99—and posted a poignant photo on Instagram Stories. “I know exactly what he would say… Just wish he was here to say it,” she wrote.
Sailer wasn’t just a coach; he was family. He mentored Vonn’s father, Alan Kildow, for decades and was present at her birth. He began coaching her at age seven, shaping her into one of the greatest skiers ever through triumphs and setbacks.
Now, after retiring in 2019 due to injuries, undergoing knee replacement, and staging an inspiring return in late 2024, Vonn stands on the brink of history as potentially the oldest woman to compete in Olympic alpine skiing. Her coach, Chris Knight, offered hope, stating she’s “preparing for Cortina as usual.”
With the Games approaching and medical answers pending, Vonn’s resilience shines through. In doubt and determination, she honors the voice that always pushed her forward—even from beyond the grave. Fans worldwide are rallying behind the legend who refuses to let one crash define her Olympic story.
