Lindsey Vonn Crashes in Olympic Downhill Race

Lindsey Vonn, the famous skier, crashed during her Olympic downhill run. She had hurt her knee just nine days before. She tried her best to race but fell on the course. This means she cannot win another medal at these Games.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

The stakes for Lindsey Vonn's return to the Olympic stage have escalated. Despite a significant knee injury sustained just nine days prior, she entered the women's downhill event at the Winter Olympics. Her participation, a testament to her determination, was cut short by a crash early in her run on the Olimpia delle Tofane course. This incident halts her pursuit of a final Olympic medal and raises questions about the physical toll of her competitive drive.

Winter Olympics: Lindsey Vonn crashes out of women's downhill - 1

Key Facts: Vonn crashed during the Olympic women's downhill event, nine days after rupturing her left ACL. She had successfully completed two training runs before the race.

Winter Olympics: Lindsey Vonn crashes out of women's downhill - 2

Circumstances Leading to the Crash

Lindsey Vonn, an acclaimed American skier, faced the challenge of competing in the Olympic downhill race despite a recent, severe knee injury. This event followed a series of pre-Olympic races and training sessions where her physical condition was a central concern.

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Winter Olympics: Lindsey Vonn crashes out of women's downhill - 3

  • Injury History: Nine days before the Olympic downhill, Vonn ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee. This occurred during one of her final races before the Games.

  • Pre-Olympic Races: Reports indicate Vonn was also involved in incidents prior to the Olympics. On January 30, 2026, she crashed in a World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Following this crash, she was tended to by medical professionals and airlifted from the course, reportedly with trouble bearing weight on her left leg. The race itself was later cancelled.

  • Olympic Training: Despite the injuries, Vonn participated in training runs for the Olympic downhill. Sources indicate she completed two training runs successfully, even testing her injured knee and expressing optimism. One report noted she "pumped her fist" after a successful training run, signaling her intent to compete.

  • Race Participation: Vonn was scheduled to compete in the downhill, team combined, and super-G events. However, her pursuit of a downhill gold medal ended with her crash during the competition run. She started 13th in the event, with many competitors still to race after her incident.

Vonn's Condition and Decision to Compete

The decision for Vonn to participate in the Olympic downhill, given her recent ACL rupture, appears to be a central element of the narrative. Medical attention was provided on the slope after her crash, and her condition was a subject of immediate reporting.

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Winter Olympics: Lindsey Vonn crashes out of women's downhill - 4

  • Physical Assessment: After the crash in the Olympic downhill, Vonn was tended to on the slope for a significant period. Reports from earlier incidents, like the Crans-Montana crash, mentioned difficulty bearing weight on her leg and subsequent medical evaluations.

  • Athlete's Stance: Vonn herself had expressed a strong desire to compete, stating she would make it to the starting gate despite her injury. Her social media activity before training runs also conveyed a sense of determination. One source quotes a statement attributed to Vonn: "No one would have believed I would be here."

  • Risk vs. Reward: The decision to compete on a compromised knee highlights a calculated risk. Vonn is described as a skier who "has gone hard at times when people have told her she shouldn’t probably be in the start." This suggests a personal drive to push her limits.

Analysis of Training Performance

Vonn's successful completion of training runs offered a glimmer of hope for her Olympic prospects, contrasting with the eventual outcome of the race.

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  • Pre-Race Performance: She successfully completed two training runs on the Olimpia delle Tofane course in the days leading up to the competition.

  • Psychological Impact: Completing these runs, particularly after the ACL rupture, was seen as a significant achievement. One report indicated she displayed a positive reaction, pumping her fist after one successful run. This may have bolstered confidence for herself and her team.

  • Expert Observation: One observer noted that Vonn had "gone hard at times when people have told her she shouldn’t probably be in the start," indicating an aggressive approach regardless of external advice.

The Olympic Downhill Race Outcome

The culmination of Vonn's Olympic journey in the downhill event was marked by her crash, which immediately drew attention and concern.

  • Race Progression: Vonn started 13th in the women's downhill. Her run ended prematurely due to a crash early on the course.

  • Impact on Competition: At the time of her crash, there were still 23 racers yet to compete, indicating the event was in its early stages for many participants.

  • Medical Response: Following the crash, Vonn received lengthy attention from medical personnel on the slope.

Expert Commentary and Athlete's Resolve

Statements from individuals close to Vonn and her own expressed sentiments underscore the emotional and physical challenges she faced.

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  • Support System: A. Svindal, quoted in one report, expressed his own nervousness during Vonn's training runs, suggesting a shared anxiety about her condition. He also indicated his belief in her aggressive approach to racing.

  • Vonn's Mindset: Despite setbacks, Vonn has publicly communicated a strong resolve. Following an earlier crash in Switzerland, she stated, "Olympic dream is not over." This sentiment suggests a persistent ambition to overcome physical obstacles.

Sources Used:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Did Lindsey Vonn finish the Olympic downhill race?
No, Lindsey Vonn crashed early in her race and could not finish.
Q: Why was Lindsey Vonn competing?
She was competing in the Olympic downhill race even though she had a bad knee injury from just nine days before.
Q: What happened after the crash?
She received medical help on the course. This crash ended her chance to win a medal at these Olympics.
Q: Had she crashed before?
Yes, she had crashed in another race in Switzerland just before the Olympics.