Lindsay Vonn, representing Team USA, experienced a significant crash at the Winter Olympics just one week after suffering a severe knee injury.
The 41-year-old athlete revealed on Instagram last week that she had injured her knee. It was later confirmed that she had a ruptured ACL, a bone bruise, and damage to her meniscus.
Speculation arose online that Vonn’s ACL may have been compromised before last week, allowing her to recover quickly for today’s race (February 8). Vonn responded by asserting this was not true.
She detailed the severity of her injury on social media: “My ACL was fully functioning until last Friday. Just because it seems impossible to you doesn’t mean it’s not possible. And yes, my ACL is 100% ruptured. Not 80% or 50%. It’s 100% gone.”
In spite of her significant injury, Vonn participated in the alpine ski event at Milano Cortina 2026 today.
According to The Guardian, Vonn had recorded the third-fastest time in the second downhill training session yesterday, but the situation changed drastically this afternoon.
While making her descent, she collided with a flag and experienced a fall.
Watch the distressing moment of her fall here:
The live broadcast captured the dramatic scene as medics quickly arrived to assist her, with Vonn in clear agony.
Here is the replay of Lindsey Vonn’s crash:#FISAlpine | #WorldCupCransMontana pic.twitter.com/1xhAuQanP0
— Team USA Olympics Updates and Coverage (@TeamUSAOLYCov) January 30, 2026
Her teammates, competitors, and the audience were silenced, anxiously waiting to see if Vonn would be able to stand.
Unfortunately, she was unable to rise and was subsequently airlifted to the hospital.
BBC Sports reported that Vonn was not lifted into the helicopter but was instead hanging from a rope, which the outlet suggested indicated the severity of her injuries, preventing a safe lift into the aircraft.
Further updates to follow.