Lindsey Vonn Crashes in Final Olympic Race; Breezy Johnson Wins Gold

American skier Lindsey Vonn crashed during her final Olympic downhill race just seconds into her run. She was injured and taken off the mountain. Her teammate Breezy Johnson won the gold medal in the same event.
By Newsroom | Winter Sports, Olympics |

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Lindsey Vonn, a celebrated American alpine skier, experienced a premature end to her final Olympic downhill race after crashing seconds into her run on Sunday. The incident occurred despite Vonn competing just nine days after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee. Meanwhile, her compatriot and teammate, Breezy Johnson, achieved a significant victory, clinching the gold medal in the same event. Johnson's win marks a historic moment, as she becomes only the second American woman to secure Olympic downhill gold, following Vonn's own achievement 16 years prior.

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The immediate aftermath saw Vonn receiving medical attention on the course before being airlifted from the mountain, prompting a delay in the competition. Her attempt to medal in her favored discipline, despite a serious injury sustained approximately a week before the Games, was cut short. Johnson, observing from the leader's seat, reportedly reacted with distress to Vonn's fall.

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Timeline of Events and Key Participants

The women's downhill competition at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics unfolded with dramatic turns. Lindsey Vonn, a prominent figure in the sport and a four-time Olympian, entered the race with a notable injury.

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  • Pre-Race Condition: Vonn sustained a ruptured ACL in her left knee during a World Cup race in Switzerland on January 30th. Reports indicated she had undergone a partial titanium knee replacement in her right knee previously. Despite these challenges, she participated in downhill training runs, with some reports suggesting no pain or swelling in her injured knee. Her coach, Aksel Lund Svindal, had expressed confidence in her potential for a strong performance. Vonn, at 41 years old, was the first woman in her forties to compete in an Olympic downhill event.

  • The Crash: Approximately 13 seconds into her run, Vonn crashed. Accounts suggest she hit the first gate or encountered a roll after the third gate, causing her to lose balance and fall. Her skis remained attached, leading to her sliding down the slope.

  • Immediate Response: Medical teams attended to Vonn on the course. She was subsequently airlifted from the mountain for further evaluation.

  • Competition Continuation: Following a delay, the women's downhill event resumed. Breezy Johnson, another American competitor, completed her run, securing the gold medal.

  • Vonn's Olympic Aspirations: Vonn had expressed that this would be her final Olympic downhill race, with aspirations of winning a medal. Her participation was seen as a courageous effort given her recent injury.

Evidence of Vonn's Injury and Determination

Multiple sources confirm the severity of Vonn's injury and her resolve to compete.

Read More: Lindsey Vonn Hurt in Ski Race Crash

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  • ACL Rupture: Reports consistently state that Vonn ruptured the ACL in her left knee about a week prior to the downhill race. This injury was sustained during a World Cup event in Switzerland.

  • Pre-Race Confidence: Despite the injury, Vonn had demonstrated progress. Videos showed her training in the gym, and she reportedly stated she experienced no pain or swelling. Two smooth training runs prior to the race provided her team and fans with confidence. Her coach, Aksel Lund Svindal, had voiced optimism about her chances.

  • Pre-Race Rituals: Prior to her run, Vonn was observed tapping her poles together three times, a common pre-race ritual, before starting.

  • Medical Intervention: Following the crash, Vonn was attended to by medical personnel and later airlifted from the venue.

Breezy Johnson's Gold Medal Performance

Breezy Johnson's victory in the women's downhill is highlighted as a significant achievement for American skiing.

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  • Olympic Gold: Johnson secured the gold medal, marking the first medal for the U.S. at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.

  • Historical Significance: She is now the second American woman to win an Olympic downhill gold, a feat previously accomplished by Lindsey Vonn 16 years ago.

  • Emotional Reaction: Johnson, who was watching from the finish area when Vonn crashed, reportedly reacted with visible distress, holding her head in her hands. Her subsequent gold medal win was described as emotional.

Analysis of Vonn's Decision to Compete

Vonn's participation in the Olympic downhill, particularly given her recent injury, has drawn attention.

  • Risk Assessment: The decision to compete with a ruptured ACL, less than two weeks after the injury, represents a considerable risk. While Vonn had a partial knee replacement in her right knee previously and reported no pain in her left knee leading up to the race, the ACL is a crucial stabilizer for the knee.

  • Past Performances and Course Affinity: Vonn has a history of success at the Cortina venue, having secured numerous wins there, earning her the moniker "queen of Cortina." The Olympia delle Tofana course was considered one of her favorites, potentially influencing her determination to compete.

  • Motivation: Vonn had publicly stated this would be her final Olympic downhill race. Her strong performance in the World Cup season prior, where she achieved podium finishes and victories, including becoming the oldest ever to win on the circuit, might have fueled her belief in a successful Olympic finale.

Expert and Team Perspectives

  • Coach Aksel Lund Svindal: Prior to the event, Svindal expressed confidence in Vonn's ability to perform exceptionally, stating, "I felt confident she could pull off something spectacular."

  • Teammate Breezy Johnson: Johnson's reaction to Vonn's crash indicated a close relationship and concern for her teammate. Her subsequent victory, achieved while Vonn was being attended to, presented a stark contrast in outcomes for the American contingent.

  • Sister Karin Kildow: Vonn's sister, Karin Kildow, was interviewed following the crash, providing a familial perspective on the unfolding events.

Conclusion and Implications

Lindsey Vonn's Olympic downhill campaign concluded abruptly due to a crash shortly after beginning her run. This incident, occurring just nine days after she ruptured her left ACL, brings a dramatic end to her aspirations for a final Olympic medal. Concurrently, her teammate Breezy Johnson achieved a career-defining victory, winning the gold medal and etching her name in Olympic history.

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The circumstances surrounding Vonn's participation—competing with a significant knee injury and at an advanced age for the sport—underscore a remarkable display of determination. However, the immediate outcome was a serious crash requiring medical evacuation. Johnson's gold medal provides a bright spot for the U.S. team, albeit overshadowed by Vonn's dramatic exit. Further details regarding Vonn's medical condition and long-term prognosis are anticipated. The event highlights the inherent risks in elite alpine skiing and the extraordinary efforts athletes undertake to compete at the Olympic level.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened to Lindsey Vonn?
Lindsey Vonn crashed during her final Olympic downhill race. She was injured and taken off the mountain.
Q: Did Lindsey Vonn win a medal?
No, she crashed early in the race and could not finish.
Q: Who won the gold medal?
Breezy Johnson, Vonn's teammate, won the gold medal in the women's downhill event.
Q: Was Lindsey Vonn injured?
Yes, she had a torn ACL in her knee but decided to race anyway.
Q: Is this Lindsey Vonn's last Olympics?
Yes, she said this would be her last Olympic downhill race.