Lindsey Vonn Crashes in Olympics; Breezy Johnson Wins Gold

American skier Lindsey Vonn crashed during the Olympic downhill race. Her teammate Breezy Johnson won the gold medal. Vonn was taken for medical help but reportedly cheered for Johnson.
By Newsroom | Sports, Winter Olympics |

Olympic Dreams Intersect Amidst Injury and Triumph

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina have seen a dramatic turn of events for American alpine skiing. Lindsey Vonn, a five-time Olympian aiming for a comeback, suffered a serious crash during the women's downhill event, ending her competition. Her teammate, Breezy Johnson, secured the United States' first gold medal of the Games in the same discipline, a victory that occurred shortly after Vonn's accident. Reports indicate Vonn sustained a ruptured ACL and potentially a broken leg, requiring an airlift from the mountain.

Key events: Lindsey Vonn crashed during the women's downhill; Breezy Johnson won gold in the same event; Vonn was airlifted for medical attention.

Winter Olympics 2026: Lindsey Vonn sent congratulatory message to Breezy Johnson before being airlifted off mountain, coach says - 1

Chronology of Events

The women's downhill race unfolded on Sunday at the Olympia delle Tofana course in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Lindsey Vonn, competing as the 13th skier on the course, crashed approximately 13 seconds into her run. Reports from witnesses and her coach confirm she was subsequently airlifted from the mountain for medical treatment. Shortly thereafter, Breezy Johnson, running as the sixth skier, completed her run with a time of 1:36.10, securing the gold medal. This marked Johnson's first Olympic medal and the first for the U.S. at the 2026 Games.

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  • Vonn's crash: Occurred early in her downhill run.

  • Johnson's victory: Followed Vonn's accident, clinching gold.

  • Medical response: Vonn received immediate medical attention, including an airlift.

Evidence of Vonn's Support from Airstrip

Despite her own immediate medical situation, Lindsey Vonn reportedly remained engaged with the competition. Breezy Johnson stated in a press conference that Vonn "was cheering for me in the helicopter" as she was being airlifted. This suggests a continued focus on her teammate's performance even as she faced her own injuries.

Winter Olympics 2026: Lindsey Vonn sent congratulatory message to Breezy Johnson before being airlifted off mountain, coach says - 2

Vonn, while being airlifted, was reportedly cheering for Johnson's race.

Breezy Johnson's Historic Victory

Breezy Johnson's gold medal win is a significant achievement for the athlete and for Team USA. Her winning time of 1:36.10 placed her ahead of competitors from Germany and Italy. This victory represents the culmination of her journey to the Olympics, which, like Vonn's, has been marked by challenges. Johnson herself has previously experienced injuries on the same mountain where Vonn crashed.

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Winter Olympics 2026: Lindsey Vonn sent congratulatory message to Breezy Johnson before being airlifted off mountain, coach says - 3

Johnson's win is her first Olympic medal and the first gold for the U.S. in 2026.

Contrasting Narratives: The End of a Comeback and the Rise of a Champion

The events of the day present two distinct yet intertwined narratives: the premature end to Lindsey Vonn's much-anticipated Olympic comeback due to injury, and Breezy Johnson's breakthrough performance culminating in an Olympic gold medal.

Winter Olympics 2026: Lindsey Vonn sent congratulatory message to Breezy Johnson before being airlifted off mountain, coach says - 4
AspectLindsey VonnBreezy Johnson
OutcomeSeason-ending crash, potential broken leg/ACLGold medal in women's downhill
Comeback BidEnded abruptlyAchieved pinnacle of career moment
VisibilityHigh profile, seeking redemptionAchieved first Olympic medal
TimingCrashed early in the raceCompeted and won after Vonn's crash
Teammate SupportReportedly cheered Johnson from helicopterBenefited from Vonn's encouragement despite crash

The day highlighted Vonn's comeback ending and Johnson's first major Olympic success.

Expert Analysis

Sports journalists covering the event have noted the emotional juxtaposition of the day's events. Emily Kwong, host of NPR's show, acknowledged the "entire range of human emotion" present at the Olympics. The Associated Press reported that Vonn's fall "overshadow[ed]" Johnson's "feat." This suggests that while Johnson's win was celebrated, the dramatic nature of Vonn's crash captured significant attention.

Read More: Lindsey Vonn Hurt in Ski Race Crash

Commentary emphasizes the emotional complexity of the day, with Vonn's crash notably impacting the narrative surrounding Johnson's victory.

Conclusion and Implications

The 2026 Winter Olympics have been marked by a significant event for American alpine skiing. Lindsey Vonn's Olympic comeback concluded with a serious injury during the women's downhill race. Concurrently, her teammate Breezy Johnson achieved a career milestone by winning the gold medal in the same event, securing the first medal for the U.S. Johnson's victory, occurring in the immediate aftermath of Vonn's crash, was reportedly met with encouragement from Vonn herself, who was undergoing medical evacuation. This confluence of events underscores the inherent risks and triumphs within elite athletic competition.

Findings: Vonn's competition ended due to injury; Johnson won gold, becoming the first American medalist of the Games; Vonn displayed support for Johnson despite her own situation.

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Implications: The events highlight the physical demands of downhill skiing and the strong bonds among teammates. Future medical assessments for Vonn and continued performances from Johnson will be key areas of observation.

Sources:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened to Lindsey Vonn?
Lindsey Vonn crashed during the women's downhill race and was injured. Her Olympic comeback is now over.
Q: Who won the gold medal?
Her teammate Breezy Johnson won the gold medal in the same race.
Q: Did Vonn cheer for Johnson?
Yes, reports say Vonn cheered for Johnson from the helicopter as she was being taken for medical care.
Q: Where did this happen?
This happened at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Italy.