American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn's quest for a historic fourth Olympic medal has been thrown into serious doubt following a dramatic crash in her final competitive outing before the Winter Games.
Race Against Time for Olympic Fitness
The 41-year-old champion was left visibly limping after losing control during a World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, casting a shadow over her participation in the upcoming Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics. The incident occurred with precisely one week remaining until the opening ceremony, placing immense pressure on Vonn's recovery timeline.
Dramatic Incident on the Slopes
Vonn's accident happened when she landed awkwardly from a jump during the race, becoming entangled in the safety nets on the upper section of the course. After receiving immediate medical attention at the scene, she managed to stand and walk away gingerly, clearly favouring her left knee and using her ski poles for support.
The veteran skier demonstrated remarkable resilience by clicking her skis back on, but she paused to examine her left knee, showing evident discomfort before continuing. She eventually reached the finish area, where she limped directly into a medical tent for further assessment.
Treacherous Conditions Force Cancellation
The race itself was severely affected by deteriorating weather conditions. Organisers initially shortened the course before ultimately cancelling the event entirely as heavy snowfall continued. The dangerous conditions contributed to multiple accidents, with three of the first six competitors crashing out.
Austrian skier Nina Ortlieb and Norway's Marte Monsen also failed to complete their runs, with Monsen requiring stretcher evacuation while sporting a bloodied face. Vonn had been the sixth competitor on the challenging course when her accident occurred.
Olympic Ambitions Under Threat
This setback represents a significant blow to Vonn's Olympic aspirations. The 2010 downhill gold medallist had been considered the overwhelming favourite for another podium finish in Italy following an exceptionally strong start to her season.
Her potential participation carries added poignancy given her remarkable comeback story. Vonn initially retired from competitive skiing in 2019, citing persistent injury problems, before making a sensational return to the sport in 2024 following a partial titanium knee replacement.
Visibility Issues Highlighted
French skier Romane Miradoli, who successfully completed her run, highlighted the extremely challenging conditions faced by all competitors. "You can't see and it's bumpy everywhere," she remarked, emphasising how the falling snow severely compromised visibility on the course.
With the women's downhill event – Vonn's scheduled first race of the Games – set for 8 February, the American superstar now faces an anxious wait to determine whether her body can recover sufficiently to compete at the highest level. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether she can add to her impressive Olympic medal collection or whether this crash has prematurely ended her final Games campaign.
