Winter Olympics icon Lindsey Vonn has undergone surgery on her broken left leg after a horrific crash during the women's downhill event in Cortina, which ended her Olympic comeback in devastating fashion. The 41-year-old American skiing legend was airlifted to hospital following the incident at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre, casting doubt on her future in the sport.
Crash Details and Immediate Aftermath
Vonn's crash occurred just seconds into her run on Sunday, when she clipped a gate and somersaulted off the course. The Cortina crowd fell into stunned silence as she remained on the ground for approximately 15 minutes before being airlifted away. Spectators applauded as the helicopter passed overhead, highlighting the emotional impact of the scene.
This injury comes just over a week after Vonn damaged her ACL in a World Cup race at Crans-Montana. Despite that setback, she was determined to compete in the Olympic event, demonstrating her characteristic resilience and competitive spirit.
Fellow Skiers React with Hope and Support
Norwegian skier Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, who regards Vonn as an icon, offered optimism about the American's potential return to skiing. "I'm really happy she came back so I can compete with her at least one more year, and learn from her as much as possible," Lie said. "I'm crossing my fingers for her, and I hope to see her back. We still have a World Cup to do after the Olympics, and I don't know if we will see her [again] in the Olympics."
Lie added, "I wouldn't be surprised if she suddenly shows up at the start gate. But the crash didn't look good." She also praised Vonn's mentality, stating, "She's crazy. For her, it's all or nothing. It's a huge inspiration, and to see what you can do with your body and with your mind."
Analysis of the Crash Location
Discussing the technical aspects of the incident, Lie explained, "It is a critical section [where Vonn crashed], because it's in the beginning, and you really need a lot of speed coming out of it. It's super flat after it, so the goal is to be as close to that gate as possible."
"She really nailed the turn, but she was too close to it, so she was hooked into it," Lie continued. "But that's how it is with the Olympics - you really want to be at the limit, and she was a little bit over the limit."
American Skiing Community Expresses Solidarity
Gold medallist Breezy Johnson expressed hope that Vonn would be able to race again, saying, "I don't claim to know what she's going through but I do know what it's like to be here, to be fighting for the Olympics and to have this course burn you and to watch those dreams die. I can't imagine the pain she's going through, and it's not the physical pain. I wish her the best and I hope this isn't the end."
Fourth-placed American skier Jacqueline Wiles reflected on the close bond within the sport, stating, "We have such a sisterhood. We travel with each other on the road. We're a family. To watch someone that you care about so much, it sucks. My heart broke for her in that moment, but that is the inherent risk of the sport. We all know what can happen, and we all have a lot of love and respect for each other because of the inherent risk."
Teammate Support and Future Speculation
Fellow American competitor Bella Wright also expressed her support for the former Olympic champion. "We're here to support her," Wright said. "Regardless [of what happened], she showed that she could do a lot of things that other people can't. It was really heartbreaking. Jackie [Wiles] and myself were up top, so we saw it live. You don't want that for anyone, and you especially don't want it for your teammate."
Wright added, "Lindsey, she deserved a better ending than that, so I'm very heartbroken for her. I always say this, 'If anyone can do it, it's Lindsey'. Whatever it is, or whatever the situation, she's very strong. We're going to support her the best we can."
The Alpine Ski World Cup begins its 2025/2026 season in October and runs through to March next year, leaving open the possibility of Vonn's return despite the severity of her injuries and her age. The skiing community remains united in their support for the legendary athlete as she recovers from surgery and contemplates her future in the sport.
