Italian Ski Legend Claims Vonn Made Critical Pre-Olympic Mistake
Italian skiing icon Alberto Tomba has publicly criticised American ski racer Lindsey Vonn's decision to compete at Crans-Montana just days before the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, claiming this choice directly led to a devastating injury that ended her comeback bid. The 41-year-old Vonn suffered a horrific crash during competition, resulting in a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee and a broken leg that required emergency surgery.
The Chain of Risks That Led to Disaster
Tomba, speaking exclusively to Reuters from a hotel terrace in Cortina d'Ampezzo, was unequivocal in his assessment. "She shouldn't have raced at Crans-Montana," the three-time Olympic gold medalist stated firmly. "She should have come here and trained, instead." The Italian legend argued that Vonn's desire for one more victory before the Games created what he described as "a chain of risks" that ultimately caught up with her on the Olympic slopes.
Vonn had been enjoying an impressive comeback season prior to the fateful Crans-Montana race on 30 January. The four-time overall World Cup champion had achieved podium finishes in all five downhills this season, including two victories, one second place, and two third-place finishes. Her comeback began in 2024 after nearly six years away from competition following right knee replacement surgery, and she had declared in December that she felt "stronger, fitter and faster than ever before."
Defying Logic Before the Fall
Remarkably, despite suffering the initial knee injury at Crans-Montana where she lost balance and crashed into side netting, Vonn defied medical expectations to compete in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Wearing a knee brace, she managed to set the third fastest time on Saturday during training on the challenging Olimpia delle Tofane piste. However, during Sunday's official race, disaster struck completely, requiring her to be airlifted to hospital for emergency surgery on her broken leg.
Tomba expressed understanding of the champion's mindset while maintaining his criticism of her preparation strategy. "When you feel in good shape, you want to win again. One race leads to another," he acknowledged. "But after five years preparing for these Olympics ... well, she took a risk." The 59-year-old skiing great, who lit the Olympic cauldron in Milan alongside fellow Italian skier Debora Compagnoni just days earlier, emphasized the difficult balance athletes face between competitive drive and prudent preparation.
Broader Questions About Athlete Protection
The incident has raised broader questions about athlete protection in dangerous winter sports. Organisers had cancelled the Crans-Montana race due to worsening conditions with heavy snowfall, yet Vonn had competed just before this cancellation. When pressed about whether rule changes might be necessary to better protect competitors, Tomba offered a nuanced perspective drawn from his own legendary career.
"It's not easy. You can say that, but when you're in the start gate ... I was maybe the only one who wouldn't start if conditions weren't right," he reflected. "Different times, different courses." The 1992 Albertville gold medalist, who also won two golds at the 1988 Calgary Games during what many consider a golden age of Italian skiing, stopped short of calling for regulatory changes while clearly questioning Vonn's specific pre-Olympic choices.
Vonn, the 2010 Olympic downhill champion, had been attempting what many described as an age-defying comeback at age 41. Her injury represents not just a personal tragedy for the champion skier but also a significant loss for the Milano-Cortina Games, where she had been one of the most anticipated competitors despite her veteran status in a sport dominated by younger athletes.
