Lindsey Vonn Breaks Leg in Olympic Ski Crash, Has Surgery

Lindsey Vonn, a famous American skier, crashed during the Olympic downhill race and broke her leg. She was taken to the hospital and had surgery. She is okay now. Her teammate won the gold medal.
By Newsroom | Sports, Winter Olympics |

Lindsey Vonn, a celebrated American skier, experienced a severe crash during the 2026 Winter Olympics women's downhill event in Cortina, Italy. The incident occurred mere seconds into her run, resulting in a fractured leg. Vonn was subsequently airlifted from the course and has undergone surgery.

The crash abruptly ended Vonn's Olympic medal aspirations, marking a poignant moment in her return to elite competition after significant knee surgery. While Vonn's event was halted, her teammate Breezy Johnson went on to win the gold medal, securing the United States' first gold of the Games.

Timeline of Events

  • Pre-Race Condition: Vonn entered the competition despite having ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee just nine days prior during a World Cup race in Switzerland. She had previously undergone partial titanium knee replacement surgery on her right knee. Despite these injuries, Vonn expressed determination to compete, citing her confidence from a recent healthy and successful season. She was the first woman to compete in the Olympic downhill in her 40s.

  • The Crash: On February 8, 2026, Vonn began her Olympic downhill run. Reports indicate the crash occurred approximately 12 to 13 seconds after leaving the start gate. She reportedly clipped a gate with her right shoulder, leading to a loss of balance and a violent tumble down the slope.

  • Immediate Aftermath: Vonn was heard screaming in pain following the crash. Medical personnel quickly attended to her on the course. The race was delayed for over 10 minutes to allow for treatment. She was then airlifted to a clinic in Cortina before being transferred to a larger hospital in Treviso.

  • Medical Intervention: Vonn was diagnosed with a fractured leg. She underwent surgery on the injured limb. Reports state she is in stable condition following the operation.

  • Olympic Context: Vonn's crash occurred shortly before her teammate Breezy Johnson's successful gold medal run. The U.S. also secured gold in the team figure skating event on the same day.

Evidence of Injury and Treatment

  • Fractured Leg: Multiple sources confirm Vonn sustained a fractured leg. Article 3 states she is in "table condition following operation on leg fractured in Olympic downhill." Article 4 notes she "has surgery on broken leg." Article 5 confirms "surgery on a left-leg fracture." Article 11 states she "underwent surgery on her left leg after crashing." Article 13 reports, "Lindsey Vonn fractured leg in Olympic downhill crash, had surgery." Article 16 confirms "undergoing surgery on a broken leg." Article 17 reiterates, "suffers broken leg after crash in Olympic downhill; teammate Breezy Johnson takes gold."

  • ACL Rupture: Prior to the downhill event, Vonn had ruptured her ACL. Article 2 states she "ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee" after crashing in Switzerland the previous week. Article 10 mentions she was "competing despite rupturing her ACL less than two weeks ago." Article 16 notes she was "competing with torn ACL" and that the injury happened "days before the start of the Games." Article 17 mentions her "audacious bid to win Olympic downhill gold with a ruptured knee ligament."

  • Surgery: Vonn underwent surgery following the crash. Article 3 mentions "operation on leg fractured." Article 4 states "has surgery on broken leg." Article 5 notes "Vonn has surgery on leg fracture after crash." Article 13 reports "had surgery." Article 14 states "undergoes surgery after brutal Winter Olympics crash." Article 16 confirms she "has undergone surgery on a broken leg." Article 18 reads, "Vonn undergoes surgery on leg fracture after horror crash."

  • Airlifted: Vonn was airlifted from the ski slope. Article 2 states she was "airlifted to hospital after crashing out of Olympic downhill race." Article 3 mentions she "was airlifted to a clinic in Cortina." Article 11 states she "had to be airlifted from the course." Article 15 reads, "Lindsey Vonn crashes hard in Olympic downhill, airlifted off slopes."

Circumstances of the Crash

  • Timing: The crash occurred within seconds of Vonn beginning her run. Reports consistently place the timing between 12 and 13 seconds into the race. (Articles 2, 3, 6, 10, 13, 16)

  • Initiating Incident: Evidence suggests Vonn made contact with a gate. Article 3 states she "lost control after clipping a gate with her right shoulder." Article 9 reports she "appeared to clip her right pole on a gate." Article 10 indicates she "clipping a slalom gate while mid-air." Article 13 describes, "She was leaning awkwardly, and her right shoulder slammed into the gate, rotating her." Article 16 says, "Vonn clipped a gate and somersaulted off the course."

  • Loss of Control: Following the initial contact, Vonn lost control and tumbled down the mountain. Descriptions include "cartwheeling down the slope" (Article 3), "pinwheeling down the slope" (Article 4), and "twisted awkwardly in the air and landed hard on her side before being pitched backward" (Article 9).

Pre-Crash Preparations and Determination

  • Return to Competition: Vonn returned to elite ski racing after a hiatus, undergoing significant knee surgery. Article 2 notes her return after "a knee replacement surgery last year persuaded her she was fit enough to compete again." Article 4 states she "had returned to elite ski racing last season after nearly six years" and had a "partial titanium knee replacement in her right knee." Article 17 reiterates her return after nearly six years and her partial titanium knee replacement.

  • Recent Success: Despite her injuries, Vonn had a strong showing in the preceding season. Article 6 highlights her podium finishes in all five World Cup races she competed in, including two victories, making her the "oldest ever to win on the prestigious skiing circuit."

  • Mental State: Vonn was determined to compete, even with her ACL injury. Article 7 quotes her saying she "would make it to the Olympic downhill starting gate despite rupturing the most important ligament in her knee nine days ago, and she did." Article 10 states she "was determined to compete at the Winter Olympics on Sunday nevertheless." Article 16 notes her "audacious bid to win Olympic downhill gold with a ruptured knee ligament." She reportedly told her coach she would "give it everything I have" (Article 9).

Impact and Reactions

  • Teammate's Performance: While Vonn's run ended tragically, her teammate Breezy Johnson won the women's downhill gold medal. Johnson, who has also faced significant leg injuries, expressed concern for Vonn. Article 5 mentions Johnson "watched on the big screen at the finish line with her head in her hands when her team-mate crashed." Johnson stated Vonn's coach told her Vonn was "cheering for me from the helicopter" (Articles 3, 5).

  • Tributes and Support: Vonn's crash prompted an outpouring of support from the sports community. Article 3 mentions "Legends pay tribute to Vonn following crash." Article 14 reads, "Team-mates pay tribute to 'mentor' Vonn."

  • Emotional Toll: The physical pain is compounded by emotional distress. Article 3 quotes a sentiment: "I can’t imagine the pain that she’s going through and it’s not the physical pain — we can deal with physical pain — but the emotional pain is something else."

Medical History and Considerations

  • ACL Injury: The rupture of her ACL in her left knee just before the Olympics was a critical factor. Article 10 notes this occurred on January 30th. Article 16 highlights that she was "competing in first event after tearing ACL."

  • Knee Replacement: Vonn's previous knee surgery, a partial titanium replacement in her right knee, also influenced her return. Article 6 mentions a "robotically assisted surgery that partially replaced her right knee." Article 17 also references this surgery.

  • Biomechanics: Her coach, Aksel Lund Svindal, reportedly noted that Vonn's brain might have been subconsciously favoring her right ski, despite the ACL injury being in her left knee. Article 7 states, "Svindal said she could land on two skis, but her brain seemed to be subconsciously leading her to favor her right one."

Additional Context

  • Age and Career: At 41 years old, Vonn was competing in her final season and aimed for an Olympic medal. Article 2 states she was "the first woman to race the Olympic downhill in her 40s too." Article 13 mentions she said in a December interview that "this would be her final season." Article 9 refers to her bid as "an unprecedented Olympic bid."

Sources Used

Read More: Italian Athletes Do Well at Home in Winter Olympics

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened to Lindsey Vonn?
Lindsey Vonn crashed during the Olympic downhill ski race and broke her leg. She had surgery.
Q: Is Lindsey Vonn okay?
Yes, she is in stable condition after her surgery.
Q: Did she get hurt before the race?
Yes, she had injured her knee before the race but still decided to compete.
Q: Who won the race?
Vonn's teammate, Breezy Johnson, won the gold medal for the United States.