Lindsey Vonn Crashes in Olympic Ski Race and is Airlifted

American skier Lindsey Vonn crashed during the Olympic downhill race in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Her ski pole hit a gate, causing her to fall. She was airlifted from the course for medical checks. This was her last Olympic race.
By Newsroom | Sports, Italy |

Lindsey Vonn, a prominent figure in American skiing, was airlifted from the Olympic downhill course on Sunday, February 8, 2026, following a significant crash. The incident occurred moments into her run in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, cutting short her participation in what was slated to be her fifth and final Olympic appearance. The severity of the crash prompted immediate medical attention and evacuation from the Olimpia delle Tofane course.

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Timeline of Events and Key Participants

The incident unfolded rapidly on the Olympic downhill course. Vonn, aged 41 at the time of the race, became the oldest competitor in an Olympic downhill event. Her participation itself was noteworthy, as she was recovering from a ruptured ACL in her left knee, an injury sustained just a week prior in a race in Switzerland.

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  • The Crash: Reports indicate that Vonn's crash occurred early in her run, shortly after passing the third gate. Evidence suggests her right ski pole clipped a gate, leading to a loss of balance and a hard fall. She tumbled down the slope, eventually coming to a stop.

  • Medical Response: Medical teams were quickly on the scene. After approximately 15 minutes, Vonn was airlifted from the course for further evaluation. The immediate aftermath was characterized by a hush falling over the crowd.

  • Teammate Reactions: Breezy Johnson, a teammate of Vonn and a participant in the same event, was reportedly watching from the leader's seat and covered her eyes, unable to witness the crash. Another skier, Mikaela Shiffrin, who was scheduled to compete later, posted a message of support.

Background: Previous Injury and Olympic Aspirations

Vonn's participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics was a subject of significant attention due to her recent injury history and her stated goal of achieving a medal.

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  • Recent Injury: Less than a week before the Olympic downhill, Vonn suffered a ruptured ACL in her left knee during a World Cup race in Switzerland. Despite this, she was cleared to compete.

  • Previous Crash: On January 30, 2026, Vonn had also crashed during her final downhill race before the Olympics in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. She was airlifted from that course as well for medical checks. At that time, she stated her Olympic dream was "not over."

  • Record-Breaking Performance: In December of the preceding year, Vonn had achieved a notable victory, becoming the oldest downhill ski World Cup winner.

Analysis of the Crash

The circumstances surrounding Vonn's crash indicate a confluence of factors, including her physical condition and the inherent risks of competitive downhill skiing.

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Ski Pole Contact and Momentum Loss

The precise moment of the crash appears to be linked to an interaction with a race gate.

Read More: Lindsey Vonn Hurt in Ski Race Crash

  • Ski Pole Incident: Multiple reports highlight that Vonn's right ski pole clipped a gate. This contact, occurring less than 13 seconds into her run, appears to have disrupted her momentum and altered her direction.

  • Consequence of Impact: The dislodging of the ski pole is believed to have directly led to a loss of balance, culminating in a hard fall and subsequent tumble down the piste.

Impact of ACL Injury and Age

The extent of Vonn's prior knee injury and her age are considered relevant factors in understanding the incident.

  • ACL Rupture: Vonn was competing with a recently ruptured ACL in her left knee. This pre-existing condition could have influenced her stability and ability to recover from minor errors.

  • Competitor Age: At 41, Vonn was the oldest woman to compete in an Olympic downhill. While she had a decorated career, age can sometimes affect an athlete's resilience and recovery capabilities.

Course Conditions and External Factors

While direct evidence is limited, the challenging nature of downhill courses and potential external factors are always under consideration in such events.

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  • Course Difficulty: The Olimpia delle Tofane course is known for its demanding terrain. Overcoming "rolls" and maintaining balance at high speeds are critical elements.

  • Visibility: In the prior Swiss race where Vonn also crashed, worsening visibility was cited as a factor contributing to race cancellations. It is unclear if similar conditions played a role in the Olympic event.

Expert Insights and Statements

Official statements from Vonn's team and media reports offer some context to the immediate aftermath.

"Lindsey Vonn (USA) suffered a hard crash during the Olympic women's downhill on Sunday in Cortina. Moments into her run, she clipped a race gate and lost her balance. She fell hard on the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre snow and tumbled down the piste until coming to a stop. After about 15 minutes, Vonn was airlifted off the slope for further evaluation."- U.S. Ski & Snowboard Statement

"Lindsey Vonn’s fifth and final Olympics ended in the one way she dreaded most of all. She twisted and crashed sideways to the ground, and after a first stunned burst of shouts and screams, the atmosphere around the Olimpia delle Tofane course fell deadly quiet while the medical team gathered around her."- The Guardian Report

Conclusion and Next Steps

Lindsey Vonn's Olympic downhill run concluded abruptly due to a crash, leading to her medical evacuation. The incident appears to have been triggered by her ski pole clipping a gate, resulting in a loss of balance and a fall. Her recent history of a ruptured ACL and her age are considered pertinent contextual elements.

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  • Immediate Status: Vonn was airlifted for further medical evaluation following the crash.

  • Future Implications: The immediate impact on her health and any future competitive aspirations remain subjects for further medical assessment.

  • Ongoing Evaluation: Reports indicate she was to be evaluated by medical staff.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened to Lindsey Vonn?
Lindsey Vonn crashed during the Olympic downhill ski race. She was airlifted from the course to get medical help.
Q: Why did she crash?
Reports say her ski pole hit a gate, which made her lose balance and fall.
Q: Was this her last race?
Yes, this was planned to be her fifth and final Olympic race.
Q: Had she been hurt before?
Yes, she had a knee injury just a week before and had also crashed in a race in Switzerland before the Olympics.