Lindsey Vonn Crashes Early in Olympic Downhill Race

American skier Lindsey Vonn had her Olympic downhill race end very soon after it started. She crashed and could not finish the race. She was taken off the course by helicopter.
By Newsroom | Winter Sports, Olympics |

Lindsey Vonn, a celebrated American skier, experienced a sudden and unfortunate end to her Olympic downhill race. Her bid for a medal concluded within seconds of starting, after a significant crash on the course. The incident drew immediate attention and concern from spectators and officials alike, marking a stark contrast to her recent successes on the World Cup circuit.

American Lindsey Vonn's epic push to win Olympic gold ends with brutal crash - 1

Background and Pre-Race Expectations

Lindsey Vonn, 41, entered the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics with a history of Olympic achievement, including a gold medal in the women's downhill 16 years prior in Vancouver. This season, she had returned to elite racing after a nearly six-year hiatus, fueled by a renewed sense of confidence.

American Lindsey Vonn's epic push to win Olympic gold ends with brutal crash - 2

  • Health and Recovery: Vonn had undergone a partial knee replacement surgery on her right knee. Despite a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee sustained just nine days before the Olympic final, she was determined to compete. She was seen wearing a brace during her race.

  • Recent Performance: Her comeback season had been remarkably strong. She finished on the podium in all five World Cup races she entered, securing two victories. This performance made her the oldest woman to win on the World Cup circuit.

  • Course Familiarity: The Cortina course, specifically the Olympia delle Tofane, was described as her favorite and a significant motivator for her Olympic comeback. She had tested the course during two downhill training runs in the days preceding the final.

  • Public Stance: Vonn had addressed her decision to compete despite injuries, pushing back against critics on social media platforms and expressing optimism about her form.

The Race and The Crash

Vonn's Olympic downhill run commenced on Sunday. After launching from the start gate, the sequence of events leading to her crash occurred rapidly.

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American Lindsey Vonn's epic push to win Olympic gold ends with brutal crash - 3

  • Start of the Run: She is reported to have tapped her poles together three times before exiting the start gate.

  • The Incident: Early in her run, Vonn clipped a gate. Reports indicate this occurred after approximately 13 seconds of skiing. Some accounts specify her right arm or arm caught the gate, while others mention her clipping it in mid-air after a jump.

  • The Fall: The contact with the gate caused her to become unbalanced, sending her sideways as she landed. She tumbled down the slope, with descriptions of her skis being perpendicular to the snow and her somersaulting.

  • Immediate Aftermath: The crowd reportedly fell silent upon witnessing the crash. Vonn could be heard screaming after falling. Due to the severity of the incident, she was airlifted off the course by helicopter.

Observations and Conflicting Details

While the broad outline of the event is clear, some details regarding the precise mechanics of the crash and Vonn's physical state warrant closer examination.

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American Lindsey Vonn's epic push to win Olympic gold ends with brutal crash - 4

  • Timing of the Incident: All sources agree the crash happened very early in the run, within seconds of the start. Article 3 and Article 6 specifically mention 13 seconds.

  • Cause of Unbalance: The primary factor identified for her losing control is contact with a gate. Whether this contact occurred on the ground or in the air, and the specific body part involved, is described slightly differently across reports.

  • Pre-existing Condition: The severity of her ACL tear just days prior is a significant factor. Could her brain's subconscious favoring of her right leg, as suggested by Svindal, have played a role in her balance?

  • Course Suitability: Was the Cortina course, despite being her favorite, perhaps more demanding than her recovered knee could fully withstand at Olympic racing speeds?

Repercussions and Reactions

The crash brought Vonn's Olympic aspirations to an abrupt halt, prompting various reactions from the sporting community.

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  • End of Medal Hopes: Her chance for another Olympic medal was definitively ended by the crash.

  • Teammate's Success: Notably, her US teammate, Breezy Johnson, went on to win the gold medal in the same event. Johnson's victory made her only the second American woman to win Olympic downhill gold, following Vonn's earlier success.

  • Expressions of Support: Despite the outcome, Vonn has been lauded as an inspiration. One sentiment expressed was that she should be proud of her efforts, regardless of the result, for her determination and return to racing. There was also an indication that she would have no regrets about her decision to compete.

Conclusion

Lindsey Vonn's final Olympic downhill race concluded prematurely due to a crash sustained within the opening seconds of her run. Despite a recent severe knee injury and the challenges of a partial knee replacement, Vonn returned to competition at the Milan Cortina Games. Her performance this season had demonstrated a high level of skill and fitness, leading to strong expectations for her Olympic appearance. However, an incident involving a clipped gate sent her tumbling, ending her medal hopes and leading to her extraction from the course via helicopter. While her Olympic career concluded with this unfortunate event, her resilience and past achievements continue to be recognized.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened to Lindsey Vonn in the Olympic downhill race?
Lindsey Vonn crashed very early in the race and could not finish.
Q: Did she get hurt?
She was taken off the course by helicopter after the fall.
Q: Was this her last race?
Yes, this was her final Olympic downhill race.
Q: Did anyone else from her team do well?
Yes, her teammate Breezy Johnson won the gold medal in the same event.