Lindsey Vonn, a renowned American skier, crashed early in the women's downhill event at the Milano Cortina Games. The incident, which occurred within seconds of her race start, resulted in her being airlifted from the mountain course. This dramatic event occurred as Vonn was attempting to compete for a medal, just nine days after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee.
Event Details and Pre-Existing Injury
The crash took place on Sunday afternoon during the women's downhill final in Cortina, Italy. Vonn, a celebrated figure in the sport and a past Olympic downhill champion, started her run but encountered trouble approximately 13 seconds in. Evidence suggests she contacted a gate with her arm during an early jump, disrupting her balance and leading to a severe fall.
Vonn had publicly stated her intention to compete despite a torn ACL.
This injury was sustained during a prior World Cup event in the Swiss Alps approximately a week before the Olympics.
Reports indicate Vonn expressed difficulty removing her skis immediately after the crash, with medical personnel attending to her on the course.
Immediate Aftermath and Medical Response
Following the fall, medical teams responded swiftly. Vonn was placed on a stretcher and subsequently airlifted from the site of the race. The U.S. Ski Team stated she would undergo evaluation, with her immediate condition not fully disclosed at the time. The sight of her evacuation was described as a "worst-case scenario" given the intense focus on her return and inspiring narrative.
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Her teammate, Breezy Johnson, who later won gold in the event, expressed thoughts of Vonn after her own victory.
Vonn's sister, Karin Kildow, was interviewed about the incident shortly after it happened.
Vonn's Competitive Drive Amidst Challenges
Despite the significant knee injury, Vonn had made a determined effort to participate in the Olympic downhill race. Her decision to compete underscores her long-standing affinity for the Cortina course, which she has historically performed well on. This event marks another chapter in a career marked by remarkable comebacks, including returning to elite racing after a substantial break and undergoing knee surgery.
Vonn had returned to racing last season after nearly six years away.
She has a history of competing and achieving top results despite physical challenges.
Reports from before the race noted her intent to start despite the ligament tear.
Expert and Colleague Reactions
The event drew immediate reactions from fellow athletes and observers. Mikaela Shiffrin, another American competitor, posted a message of support for Vonn. The circumstances of Vonn's crash and subsequent medical airlift highlighted the inherent risks in alpine skiing, even for athletes of her caliber.
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The track conditions and Vonn's mid-air contact with a gate are central to understanding the immediate cause of the crash.
Colleagues acknowledged the difficulty of the course and the bravery of Vonn's decision to race.
Source Material Summary
CBS Sports: Reports Vonn crashed attempting to medal after a torn ACL, hitting a gate and being airlifted. Mentions teammate Breezy Johnson winning gold and sister Karin Kildow's interview.
CBS News: Details Vonn's crash and airlift after rupturing her ACL a week prior. Notes her distress about ski removal and the team's evaluation.
USA Today: Recounts Vonn's hard crash early in the downhill run, attributing it to hooking a gate with her arm. Discusses her medal hopes being dashed.
ABC News: States Vonn lost control early, leading to her helicopter evacuation. Contrasts her situation with teammate Breezy Johnson's gold medal win and Vonn's past achievements.
AP News: Provides live updates, focusing on Breezy Johnson's gold medal win and her thoughts turning to Vonn after the event.
The Athletic (NYT): Explains Vonn's decision to race despite a torn ACL and how she clipped a gate in mid-air after a jump, leading to her crash.
On3: Reports on a video of Vonn's prior crash at a World Cup event in Crans Montana, which also led to her being airlifted, ahead of the Olympics.
Most Used Sources & Context:
CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/olympics/news/lindsey-vonn-crash-american-skiing-icon-airlifted-away-after-terrifying-fall-in-olympics-womens-downhill/
Published 2 hours ago. Provides an immediate report on the crash, injury status, and key surrounding details.
CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lindsey-vonn-downhill-milano-cortina/
Published 2 hours ago. Offers similar details to CBS Sports, focusing on the context of the pre-existing ACL injury and the evacuation process.
USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/08/womens-downhill-results-highlights-lindsey-vonn/88568928007/
Published 14 hours ago. Reports on the crash within the context of the overall race results and highlights.
ABC News: https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/lindsey-vonn-crashes-early-olympic-downhill-competes-torn-129962648
Published 14 hours ago. Covers the crash and evacuation, drawing comparisons to her teammate's success and her own history.
The Athletic (NYT): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7030495/2026/02/08/lindsey-vonn-winter-olympics-downhill-crash-torn-acl/
Published 39 minutes ago. Provides a detailed account of the crash mechanics and Vonn's determination to compete despite her injury.
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