Olympic alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn delivered a heartfelt yet defiant update following a frightening crash that left her with a left knee injury—just one week before the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
The 41-year-old three-time Olympic medalist crashed hard during the women’s downhill World Cup race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on January 30. In poor visibility, Vonn lost control early in the run, slamming into the safety nets. She remained down for several minutes before gingerly skiing to the finish, visibly clutching her left knee in pain. Medical teams airlifted her to a local hospital for evaluation, and the race was subsequently halted for safety reasons.
In an emotional Instagram post that day, Vonn shared the news directly with fans: “I crashed today in the Downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee. I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams. 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 added a resolute message: “It’s not over until it’s over… ❤️💪 Thank you for all of the love and support.”
Vonn, who retired in 2019 due to accumulated injuries before staging an remarkable return in November 2024 after knee replacement surgery, skipped the subsequent Super-G race on January 31 to prioritize recovery. Posting from the sidelines while supporting her teammates, she wrote: “Thank you for all of the love and support I have received. Means the world to me. Doing my best right now…”
Her head coach, Chris Knight, offered an optimistic update, telling reporters that Vonn is “preparing for Cortina as usual,” signaling she remains on track for the Games despite the setback.
The injury clouds what could be a historic moment: At 41, Vonn would become the oldest woman to compete in Olympic alpine skiing if she toes the line. The crash has intensified scrutiny on her comeback journey, but her trademark resilience shines through as she awaits final medical clearance.
With the Milan Cortina Opening Ceremony approaching rapidly, all eyes are on Vonn—the “Speed Queen” who has defied odds throughout her career. Fans and fellow athletes continue to rally behind her, hoping this latest hardship won’t derail one of skiing’s greatest stories of perseverance.
