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Lindsey Vonn was the 13th skier to hit the slopes in the alpine ski women’s downhill at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on Sunday and her dreams of powering through a devastating knee injury to make the medal podium came to a crashing halt.
Vonn was entering the first sector when she fell hard onto the slopes. The crowd gasped as they came to terms with the wipeout. She writhed in pain as medical professionals came to check on her. A helicopter came to get Vonn off the mountain.
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United States’ Lindsey Vonn concentrates ahead of an alpine ski, women’s downhill official training, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
The Olympic legend was attempting to medal in the event despite a devastating knee injury she suffered while at the World Cup. She made clear in subsequent social media posts that her ACL was “100% gone.”
An ACL tear normally involves a recovery that lasts about a year, but Vonn planned to fight through it.
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United States’ Lindsey Vonn crashes during an alpine ski women’s downhill race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Spectators react after United States’ Lindsey Vonn crashed during an alpine ski women’s downhill race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Spectators stunned after United States’ Lindsey Vonn crashed during an alpine ski women’s downhill race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
United States fans react following United States’ Lindsey Vonn’s crashed during an alpine ski women’s downhill race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
She made a stunning comeback to the sport last year after nearly six years away from competition. Her return followed a partial titanium replacement inserted into her right knee, which she had in 2024.
The Team USA legend is the second-most successful woman in World Cup history with 84 wins. She has won eight World Championship medals.
Vonn won a gold medal in the downhill and a bronze medal in the super-G at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games and a bronze medal in the downhill at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Games. She will look to add to her collection in Italy.
United States’ Lindsey Vonn is helicoptered off after crashing, during an alpine ski women’s downhill race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
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She was set to compete in the women’s super-G as well, but the crash may very well keep her out of that event.
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