In a display of sheer determination and grit that has defined her legendary career, American alpine skiing icon Lindsey Vonn announced Tuesday that she will compete in the women’s downhill at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics despite suffering a complete rupture of her left ACL just days ago.
The 41-year-old three-time Olympic medalist revealed the injury occurred during a crash in the final World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday, January 30. Vonn lost control after a jump, slamming into safety netting and immediately favoring her left leg. She was airlifted to a hospital for evaluation, where scans confirmed a fully torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), along with bone bruising and meniscal damage.
“This is not, obviously, what I had hoped for,” Vonn said at a press conference in Cortina, the venue for the Alpine events. “I’ve been working really hard to come into these Games in a much different position. I know what my chances were before the crash, and I know my chances aren’t the same as it stands today. But I know there’s still a chance, and as long as there’s a chance, I will try.”
Vonn, who came out of retirement in 2024 to pursue one final Olympic run, tested her knee on the slopes earlier Tuesday and reported feeling “stable” and “strong.” With the aid of a specialized knee brace and intensive therapy, she declared herself “confident” in competing in Sunday’s downhill race.
“I’m not letting this slip through my fingers. I’m gonna do it, end of story,” she added firmly. “My head is high, I’m standing tall, and I’m going to do my best, whatever the result is.”
Medical experts have described the decision as risky but feasible for an elite athlete like Vonn, whose history of knee injuries—including multiple ACL tears in her right knee (one partially replaced in recent years)—has made her uniquely resilient. While a typical ACL tear sidelines most competitors for months, Vonn’s experience, pain tolerance, and the short timeframe before the event make her attempt plausible, though it carries heightened risks of further damage in the high-speed, high-impact discipline of downhill skiing.
Vonn’s comeback story has captivated fans worldwide. After retiring in 2019 following years of injuries, she returned to the U.S. Ski Team with the goal of adding to her Olympic haul, which includes a gold in downhill (2010) and bronzes in 2018. The Cortina course holds special significance for her, where she has claimed 12 World Cup victories over the years.
Her Instagram post following the crash echoed the same unbreakable spirit: “This was obviously incredibly hard news to receive one week before the Olympics… After extensive consultations with doctors, intense therapy, physical tests as well as skiing today, I have determined I am capable of competing in the Olympic Downhill on Sunday.”
As the Winter Games approach, Vonn’s resolve has inspired awe and concern in equal measure. Whether she reaches the starting gate and what happens next could become one of the most unforgettable chapters in Olympic history—a testament to a champion who refuses to let adversity end her dream.
The women’s downhill is scheduled for Sunday in Cortina, with Vonn set to take on the mountain against all odds once more.
