American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn has emphatically stated that her Olympic dream is not over, despite suffering a frightening crash during her final World Cup downhill race before the Winter Games. The dramatic incident occurred in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, casting a shadow over her preparations exactly one week before the Milano-Cortina 2026 opening ceremony.
A Race Against Time for Fitness
The 41-year-old champion, a red-hot favourite for gold after a phenomenal season start, lost control upon landing a jump during the competition. Vonn became entangled in the safety nets on the upper portion of the course, sparking immediate concern. After receiving urgent medical attention at the scene, she managed to stand and walk gingerly away, visibly favouring her left knee and using her ski poles for support.
She eventually skied to the finish area, where she was comforted by US teammate Jacqueline Wiles before limping into a medical tent. Due to the severity of the scare, Vonn was subsequently airlifted via helicopter to a local hospital for comprehensive evaluation and treatment.
Vonn's Defiant Message to Fans
Taking to social media later on Friday, Vonn addressed her supporters directly. "I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams," she wrote. "This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics... but if there's one thing I know how to do, it's a comeback. My Olympic dream is not over. Thank you for all the love and support."
Her coach, former Olympic champion Aksel Lund Svindal, provided context to Reuters, explaining that while initial physio checks seemed okay, there were uncertainties that warranted a hospital visit. "She has some pain so it's better to have some checks," Svindal stated.
Chaotic Race Conditions and Multiple Crashes
The race itself was marred by challenging weather, which played a significant role in the day's events. Organisers had already shortened the course due to poor conditions before ultimately cancelling the event altogether as snowfall intensified. Visibility became a critical issue for competitors.
Vonn was the sixth racer on the course, and she was not alone in encountering trouble. Three of the first six skiers crashed, including Austria's Nina Ortlieb and Norway's Marte Monsen, the latter requiring a stretcher after sustaining a bloody facial injury. France's Romane Miradoli, who completed her run, highlighted the treacherous conditions, stating, "You can't see and it's bumpy everywhere."
The Road to Milano-Cortina
This setback presents a significant hurdle for Vonn, who is targeting a fourth Olympic medal. The women's downhill, her first scheduled event of the Games, is set for February 8th. The 2010 downhill Olympic champion had made a spectacular return to the sport in 2024 following a partial right knee titanium replacement, after initially retiring in 2019 due to persistent injuries.
Her form this season had been exceptional, with two World Cup victories and podium finishes in all five of her downhill races, cementing her status as the favourite. Vonn has publicly thanked the medical staff for their "incredible help" and promised to provide further updates on her condition in due course, as she now faces a literal race against time to be fit for the Olympic stage.
