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Vonn's Olympic Dream Ends in Agonizing Crash
8 Feb
Summary
- Vonn crashed 13 seconds into her downhill run due to a torn ACL.
- She was airlifted off the course after screaming in agony.
- Vonn defended competing despite severe knee injury.
Lindsey Vonn's pursuit of Olympic immortality concluded with a severe crash during her women's downhill event on Sunday, February 8. The incident occurred just 13 seconds into her run on the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Vonn, who had recently suffered a complete ACL tear on January 30 during a World Cup race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, was heard screaming in agony before being airlifted from the scene.
Despite the severity of her injury, Vonn had publicly defended her decision to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics. She had announced her return to the sport in November 2024 and confirmed her ACL was 100% ruptured just a week prior to the event. Vonn emphasized her passion for skiing and her desire for one final Olympic race, pushing back against criticism about her age and risk-taking.
She revealed the extent of her injuries on February 3, including a bone bruise and potential meniscal tears, but expressed confidence in her knee's stability and muscle function after consultations and therapy. Vonn's intention was to compete despite the debilitating injury, showcasing her unwavering commitment to the sport until the final moments of her Olympic run.
